The Iron-Iron Carbide Phase Diagram

Heat Treatment of Steel

Features
Phases present
L

d Bcc structure Paramagnetic g austenite Fcc structure Non-magnetic ductile

a ferrite Bcc structure Ferromagnetic Fairly ductile

Reactions
Peritectic L + d = g Eutectic L = g + Fe3C

Fe3C cementite Orthorhombic Hard brittle

Max. solubility of C in ferrite=0.022% Max. solubility of C in austenite=2.11%

Eutectoid g = a + Fe3C

Microstructures

Steels
Steel is an interstitial solid solution of carbon in iron. Theoretically steel has a maximum of 2.11% carbon. In practice, the amount of carbon rarely exceeds 0.8%

Classification/Nomenclature
Low carbon steels up to 0.2%C AISI 1020: Last two numbers indicate Medium carbon steels 0.2-0.4%C Amount of carbon :0.2%C 10 indicates plain carbon steel High carbon steels >0.4% C AISI 4340: 0.4%C 43 indicates alloy steel

Microstructural changes in steel on cooling for different compositions

Eutectoid steel

Hypoeutectoid steel

Hypereutectoid steel