The formation of martensite is characterized by its athermal transformation kinetics, crystallographic features, and development of fine structure. This chapter describes the diffusionless, shear-type transformation of austenite to martensite and how it affects the morphology and microstructure of heat-treatable carbon steels. It also provides information on lath and plate martensite and how they differ in structure and deformation properties.

This chapter examines two important strengthening mechanisms, martensitic and bainitic transformations, both of which occur under nonequilibrium cooling conditions. It explains how time-temperature-transformation diagrams are constructed and how they are used to understand and control the formation of martensite and bainite in steel and other alloys. It describes the morphology of both types of structures, the factors that influence their formation, how they respond to tempering processes, and their effect on mechanical properties and behaviors. It also discusses the role of transformation hysteresis in shape memory alloys.

This chapter provides a short introduction to phase transformations, namely, the liquid-to-solid phase transformations that occur during solidification and the solid-to-solid transformations that are important in processing, such as heat treatment. It also introduces the concept of free energy that governs whether or not a phase transformation is possible, and then the kinetic considerations that determine the rate at which transformations take place. The chapter also describes important solid-state transformations such as spinodal decomposition and martensitic transformation.

This chapter concentrates on very low-temperature martensitic transformations, which are of great concern for cryogenic applications and research. The principal transformation characteristics are reviewed and then elaborated. The material classes or alloy systems that exhibit martensitic transformations at very low temperatures are discussed. In particular, the martensitic transformations and their effects in austenitic stainless steels, iron-nickel alloys, practical superconductors, alkali metals, solidified gases, and polymers are discussed.