Mössbauer spectroscopy and Rietveld refinement used to analyze stainless steel properties regarding shape memory effect (SME)

The resonant absorption of recoilless -rays, known as Mossbauer Spectroscopy, is an efficient nuclear prospecting technique to structural and magnetic analysis. When studying steels, it is possible to accurately analyze the surface of materials using the Conversion Electron Mossbauer Spectroscopy technique (CEMS) that evaluates the sample’s surface to a depth of 200 nm, and by Conversion X-ray Mossbauer Spectroscopy by (CXMS), which can go deeper and investigate inner layers of steel samples (10 m). In this work, this technique was employed to study the crystallographic reversion (f.c.c.h.c.p.) of  stainless steel shape memory. A hexagonal martensitic phase was induced mechanically through the compression test and the reversion to austenite phase was observed using heat treatment. Mossbauer spectroscopy measurements were carried out using the conversion of electrons, and X-ray with a 57Co source in a rhodium matrix at room temperature and without the external fields. Spectra were analyzed using specific adjustment software. The results indicated great reversal of -martensite. Rietveld refinement analysis was obtained using the XRD data to evaluate possible structural changes occurring during the thermo-mechanical treatment (cycles of deformation followed by heating). Comparison of the Mossbauer spectra and Rietveld refinement are important for understanding the reversal of the martensitic phase. In this case, the crystal structure changes resulted in a shape recovery material, which was deformed beyond its elastic limit. Keywords: Shape memory effect, stainless steel, -martensite, Mossbauer Spectroscopy, Rietveld refinement.