The cooling-transformation curves were determined in the following manner. Chromel-alumel
thermocouple wires (0.025 mm dia.) were spot welded onto the specimens at increasing distances from
the free quenched end (starting at 3 mm from the tip and ending at 16 mm). The specimens were then
austenitized and quenched either with, or without an electric field, but otherwise under the same
conditions. The temperature-time profile during the quench (cooling curve) was determined employing
an X-Y plotter with a response time setting of 30 cm min21
. After quenching the specimens were cut