3.

2 THEAUSTENITEFERRITETRANSFORMATION
Under equilibrium conditions, pro-eutectoid ferrite will form in ironcarbon
alloys containing up to 0.8wt% carbon. The reaction occurs at 910C in pure
iron, but takes place between 910C and 723C in ironcarbon alloysHowever,
by quenching from the austenitic state to temperatures below the eutectoid
temperature, ferrite can be formed down to temperatures as low as 600 C.
There are pronounced morphological changes as the transformation temperature is
lowered, which it should be emphasized apply in general to hypo- and hypereutectoid
phases, although in each case there will be variations due to the precise
crystallography of the phases involved.