Abstract: It was presented the in situ observation of growth behavior and morphology of delta-ferrite as a function of solidification rate in an AISI304 stainless steel. The specimens have been solidified and observed using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). The δ-phase always appears like cells on the sample surface when critical supercooling occurs, during which the L→δ transformation starts. The solid-liquid (S-L) interface is found to be finger shaped and has no faceted shape. γ phase appears among δ grains due to partitioning of Ni into the melt during solidification, when solidification rate is higher. The mergence of observed δ cells is possible for the steel sample cooled at 7.5℃/min. The formation of dendrites can be observed on the free surface of the steel sample cooled at 150℃/min. The size of solidified delta grains decreases from 120 to 20-80μm, and the volume fraction of solidified austenite increases with increase in solidification rate from 7.5 to 150℃/min. The relation between the tip radius of δ cell and its growth rate is deduced, and the results agree with the experimental values.

Key words: stainless steel, confocal scanning laser microscopy,