Abstract: The variations of microstructures and mechanical properties of steels 15CrMnMoV, 18Mn2CrMoB,18Cr2Ni4W,30CrMnSi,30CrMnSiNi2 and 40CrMnSiMoV,which were tempered at different temperatures after austempering and continuous cooling at given rates, have been investigated.Based on the experimental results,the behaviour and mechanism of tempered bainite embrittlement(TBE)have been discussed.Finally,the theoretical and prac- tical basis for selecting the optimum tempering temperature of steels with bainite structure af- ter heat treatment are proposed.

Key words: austempering, tempered bainite embrittlememt, mechanical stability