TIME-TEMPERATURE-

TRANSFORMATION DIAGRAM
Prof. H. K. Khaira
Professor in MSME Deptt.
MANIT, Bhopal
 Phase Transformations in Steels
• Iron has having different crystal structures at
different temperatures.
• It changes from FCC to BCC at 910o C.
• This transformation results in austenite
transforming to pearlite at eutectoid
temperature.
• This transformation of austenite is time
dependant.
 Fe-C Equilibrium Diagram

Spring 2001 Dr. Ken Lewis ISAT 430 3

 Fe-C Equilibrium Diagram
• Though the Fe-C equilibrium diagram is very useful, it does
not provide information about the transformation of
austenite to any structure other than equilibrium
structures, nor does it provide any details about the
influence of cooling rates on the formation of different
structures.
• In other words, Fe-C diagram does not explain the
decomposition of austenite under non-equilibrium
conditions or conditions involving faster rates of cooling
than equilibrium cooling.
• Several structures (e.g. martensite) not appearing on the
equilibrium diagram may be found in the microstructures in
steels.
 TTT Diagram
• On the other hand, TTT diagram is a more
practical diagram.
• It shows what structures can be expected
after various rates of cooling.
• It graphically describes the cooling rate
required for the transformation of austenite to
pearlite, bainite or martensite.
• TTT diagram also gives the temperature at
which such transformations take place.
 Phase diagram and TTT diagram

Which information are obtained from phase diagram or

TTT diagram?

• Phase diagram : • TTT diagram

– Describes equilibrium
microstructural development
that is obtained at extremely
slow cooling or heating
conditions.
– Provides no information on
time taken to form phase
– For a given alloy
composition, the percentage
completion of a given phase
transformation on
temperature-time axes is
described.
 Transformation Diagrams
• There are two main types of transformation
diagrams that are helpful in selecting the
optimum steel and processing route to
achieve a given set of properties. These are
1. Time-temperature transformation (TTT) diagrams
2. Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams
 Transformation Diagrams
• Time-temperature transformation (TTT)
diagrams
1. Indicates the amount of transformation at a
constant temperature.
2. Samples are austenitised and then cooled
rapidly to a lower temperature and held at that
temperature whilst the amount of transformation
is measured, for example by dilatometry.
3. Obviously a large number of experiments are
required to build up a complete TTT diagram.
 Transformation Diagrams
• Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams
1. Indicates the extent of transformation as a function
of time for a continuously decreasing temperature.
2. Samples are austenitised and then cooled at a
predetermined rate and the degree of transformation
is measured, for example by dilatometry.
3. In this case also a large number of experiments are
required to build up a complete CCT diagram also
 Transformation Diagrams
• CCT diagrams are generally more appropriate
for engineering applications as components
are cooled (air cooled, furnace
cooled, quenched etc.) from a processing
temperature as this is more economic than
transferring to a separate furnace for an
isothermal treatment.
TTT Diagram
TTT diagram for an eutectoid carbon
steel.
 Fe-C Equilibrium Diagram
• Austenite is stable above A1 temperature
• Below this temperature, austenite is unstable.
Eutectoid
Steel

Spring 2001 Dr. Ken Lewis ISAT 430 13

 How Transformation Ocures?
• Transformation of austenite to pearlite ocures
by nucleation and growth mechanism.
• This transformation requires diffusion.
 Nucleation rate
• As temperature decreases below eutectoid temperature, r* (critical size of
nucleus) decreases increasing the nucleation rate N.
• At very low temperature, nucleation rate decreases due to large decrease
in diffusion rate.
• At intermediate temperature, nucleation rate is maximum
 Growth of nuclei
– Growth of nuclei is a diffusion controlled process
. QD
Growth Rate G ce RT
where QD : activation energy for self diffusion
Growth rate decreases with decrease in temperature
 Transformation Rate

. .
• Transformation rate of a phase : N G
• Transformation rate first increases, reaches a maximum and then starts
decreasing with decrease in temperature
 Time for Transformation
• Time required for transformation as a function of temperature
follows a reverse trend than the rate of transformation.
Time required for transformation fist decreases, reaches a
minimum and then starts increasing with decrease in
temperature.
Let us do some experiment
 Isothermal transformation of eutectoid steel

Let us take a eutectoid steel and do the following experiment

– Step 1 – Heat the sample above A1 temperature for austenitisation
– Step 2 – Transfer the sample to a salt bath kept below A1 Temp.
– Step 3 - Keep it at the bath temperature for a specified time
– Step 4 - Quench to room temperature
– Step 5 – Find out the amount of phases present
 Isothermal transformation of eutectoid steel
below Eutectoid Temperature
• Determine the amount of pearlite formed after holding at
7050 C for different times
Fraction of transformation Vs the logarithm of time at
constant temperature (The S Curve).
Plot the result of the experiment

This is known as S curve

Fraction of transformation Vs the logarithm of time at
constant temperature (The S Curve).
The transformation starts but it takes some time before we can see a
precipitate. The time required for transformation required to initiate the
transformation is known as Incubation Period.
The rate of transformation first increases and then starts decreasing
 Time required for completion of
transformation
• Now repeat the experiment at different temperatures below A1 temp.
• Plot the time for completion of transformation at different temperatures.
 Time-Temperature-Transformation
Curve
• We can plot the time required for start and completion of
transformation at different temperatures or for any other amount of
transformation.
Let us consider eutectoid reaction as
an example

eutectoid reaction:

γ(0.8 wt% C)
↓
α (0.025 wt% C) + Fe3C
Let us consider eutectoid reaction as
an example

The S-shaped curves are

shifted to longer times at
higher T showing that the
transformation is
dominated by nucleation
(nucleation rate increases
with supercooling) and not
by diffusion (which occurs
faster at higher T)
Isothermal Transformation (or TTT) Diagrams
(Temperature, Time, and % Transformation)
 TTT Diagrams for Eutectoid Steel
• We can plot the time for start and completion of transformation of
austenite to pearlite at different temperatures or for any other amount of
transformation.
 Transformations of austenite to Pearlite
pearlite
Transformations of austenite :
→ + Fe3C
1) At slightly lower T below 727 ℃ : T <<
• Coarse pearlite
: nucleation rate is very low.
: diffusion rate is very high. 655 600
℃ ℃
2) As the T (trans. temp.) decreases to
500 ℃
• Fine pearlite
: nucleation rate increases.
: diffusion rate decreases.
Strength : (MPa) = 139 + 46.4 S-1 487
534
S : inter-lamellar spacing ℃ ℃
 But at lower temperatures ….
• At lower temperatures, the austenite
transforms to bainite.
• Bainite is also a mixture of ferrite and
cementite but not in the form of alternate
layers.
 Transformations of austenite to Bainite
3) At further lower temperatures, 250 ℃ < Tt < 500 ℃, below the nose in
TTT diagram.
• Driving force for the transformation ( → + Fe3C) is very high.
• Diffusion rate is very low.
• Nucleation rate is very high.
→ + Fe3C (But not in the form of alternate layers)
: Bainite ; cementite in the form of needle type.

495 ℃ 410 ℃
bainite
 TTT diagram for eutectoid steel

• Plot the time for start and completion of transformation at

different temperatures at still lower temperatures
 On further decreasing the
transformation temperature
• Below a certain temperature, the austenite
changes or transforms to martensite.
• Martensite is a super saturated solid solution
of carbon in iron.
• It is a diffusionless transformation.
• It is also known as shear transformation as the
interface between austenite and martensite
moves as a shear wave at the speed of sound.
Transformations of austenite to Martensite
4. When the austenite is quenched to temp. below Ms
→ ’ (martensite)
: Driving force for trans. of austenite → extremely high.
Diffusion rate is extremely slow.
: Instead of the diffusional migration of carbon atoms to produce
separate and Fe3C phases, the matensite transformation involves
the sudden reorientation of C and Fe atoms from the austenite (FCC)
to a body centered tetragonal (bct) solid solution.

→ ’ (martensite), a super saturated

solid solution of carbon in iron
formed by shear transformation
(diffusionless transformation)
→ very hard and brittle phase
martensite
 Diffusionless Transformation
1) Diffusionless transformation → no compositional change during
transformation.
2) The temperature at which the transformation of → ’ starts is
known as at Ms temp. and finishes at Mf temp.
3) Degree of super saturation and c/a ratio increases as the carbon
content increases.
Complete TTT (isothermal transformation) diagram for
eutectoid steel.
 Time Temperature Transformation
(TTT) Diagram
• Below A1 , austenite is unstable, i.e., it can transform
into pearlite, bainite or martensite.
• The phases finally formed during cooling depend upon
time and temperature.
• TTT diagram shows the time required for
transformation to various phases at constant
temperature, and, therefore, gives a useful initial guide
to likely transformations.
• In addition to the variations in the rate of
transformation with temperature, there are variations
in the structure of the transformation products also.
 The Time – Temperature –
Transformation Curve (TTT)
• At slow cooling rates the trajectory
can pass through the Pearlite and
Bainite regions
• Pearlite is formed by slow cooling
– Trajectory passes through Ps
above the nose of the TTT
curve
• Bainite
– Produced by rapid cooling to a
temperature above Ms
– Nose of cooling curve avoided.

Spring 2001 Dr. Ken Lewis ISAT 430 43

 The Time – Temperature –
Transformation Curve (TTT)
• If cooling is rapid enough
austenite is transformed into
Martensite.
– FCC → BCT
– diffusion separation of carbon
and iron is not possible
• Transformation begins at Ms and
ends at Mf.
– If cooling is stopped at a
temperature between Ms and
Mf , it will transform into
martensite and bainite .

Spring 2001 Dr. Ken Lewis ISAT 430 44

 Full TTT Diagram

The complete TTT

diagram for an iron-
carbon alloy of eutectoid
composition.
A: austenite
B: bainite
M: martensite
P: pearlite
 TTT Diagram
• Transformations at temperatures between
approximately 705°C and 550°C result in the
characteristic lamellar microstructure of pearlite.
• At a temperature just below A1 line, nucleation
of cementite from austenite will be very slow, but
diffusion and growth of nuclei will proceed at
maximum speed, so that there will be few large
lamellae and the pearlite will be coarse.
• However, as the transformation temperature is
lowered, i.e., it is just above the nose of the C-
curve, the pearlite becomes fine.
 Bainite
• At temperatures between 550°C and 240°C (the approximate, Ms
temperature line), transformation becomes more sluggish as the
temperature falls, for, although austenite becomes increasingly
unstable, the slower rate of diffusion of carbon atoms in austenite
at lower temperatures outstrips the increased urge of the austenite
to transform. In this temperature range the transformation product
is bainite.
• Bainite consists (like pearlite) of a ferrite matrix in which particles of
cementite are embedded. The individual particles are much finer
than in pearlite. The appearance of bainite may vary between
– feathery mass of fine cementite and ferrite for bainite formed around
480°C and
– dark acicular (needle shaped) crystals for bainite formed in the region
of around 310°C).
 Martensite
• At the foot of the TTT
diagram, there are two lines
Ms (240°C ) and Mf (50°C).
• Ms represents the
temperature at which the
formation of martensite will
start and Mf the temperature
at which the formation of
martensite will finish during
cooling of austenite through
this range.
 Martensite
• Martensite is formed by the
diffusionless transformation of
austenite on rapid cooling to a
temperature below 240°C
(approximately) designated as Ms
temperature.
• The martensitic transformation differs
from the other transformations in that
it is not time dependent and occurs
almost instantaneously, the
proportion of austenite transformed
to martensite depends only on the
temperature to which it is cooled.
• For example the approximate
temperatures at which 50% and 90%
of the total austenite will, on
quenching, transform to martensite
are 166°C and 116°C respectively.
 Martensite
(i) Martensite is a metastable phase of
steel, formed by transformation of austenite
below Ms temperature.
(ii) Martensite is an interstitial supersaturated
solid solution of carbon in iron having a body-
centered tetragonal lattice.
(iii) Martensite is normally a product of
quenching.
(iv) Martensite is very hard, strong and brittle.
 Martensite

• Diffusionless transformation
of FCC to BCT (more volume)
• Very hard & very brittle.
Possible transformation involving
austenite decomposition
 The Time – Temperature –
Transformation Curve (TTT)

• Composition Specific
– This curve is for 0.8%
carbon

• At different
compositions, shape is
different

Spring 2001 Dr. Ken Lewis ISAT 430 54

 TTT Diagram
• The TTT digrams for hypo-eutectoid steels and
hyper-eutectoid steels will differ from that of
eutectoid steels
• The TTT digrams for hypo-eutectoid steels will
have an additional curve to show the
precipitation of ferrite from martensite before
transformation of remaining austenite to
pearlite
TTT diagram for Hypo-eutectoid steel.
 TTT Diagram
• The TTT digrams for hyper-eutectoid steels
will differ from that of eutectoid steels
• The TTT diagrams for hyper-eutectoid steels
will have an additional curve to show the
precipitation of cementite from martensite
before transformation of remaining austenite
to pearlite
TTT diagram for a hypereutectoid Steel
(1.13 wt% C)
©2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning ™ is a trademark used herein under license.

1050 and (b) a 10110 steel.

Figure 12.8 The TTT diagrams for (a) a
Contineous Cooling Transformation
(CCT) Diagram
 CCT Diagram
• If you don’t hold at one temperature and allow
temperature to change with time, you are “Continuously
Cooling”.
• In continuous cooling, the constant temperature basis of
TTT diagram becomes obviously unrepresentative.
• More relevant information can, thus, be obtained from a
CCT diagram in which phase changes are tracked for a
variety of cooling rates.
• Therefore, a CCT diagram’s transition lines will be different
than a TTT diagram.
• Plotting actual cooling curves on such a diagram will show
the types of transformation product formed and their
proportions.
Continuous cooling transformation diagram for eutectoid steels

• Annealing : heat the steel into

region → cool it in furnace
(power off) → coarse pearlite
• Normalizing : heat the steel
into region → cool it in air →
fine pearlite
• Hardening : heat the steel into
region → quench it in water
→ Martensite
The CCT diagram for a low-alloy, 0.2%
C Steel
 Effect of Cooling Rate on the Formation of
Different Reaction Products
• Very slow cooling rate (furnace cooling), typical of
conventional annealing, will result in coarse
pearlite with low hardness.
• Air cooling is a faster cooling rate than annealing
and is known as nonmalizing. It produces fine
pearlite.
• In water quenching, entire substance remains
austentic until the Ms line is reached, and
changes to martensite between the Ms and Mf
lines.
 Effect of Cooling Rate on the Formation of
Different Reaction Products
• It is possible to form 100% pearlite or 100%
martensite by continuous cooling, but it is not
possible to form 100% Bainite.
• To obtain a bainitic structure, cool rapidly
enough to miss the nose of curve and then
holding in the temperature range at which
bainite is formed.
 Critical Cooling Rate (CCR)
• If the cooling curve is tangent to the nose of
TTT curve, the cooling rate associated with
this cooling curve is Critical Cooling Rate (CCR)
for this steel.
• Any cooling rate equal to or faster than CCR
will form only martensite.
 Critical Cooling Rate and Hardness of
Different Micro-Structures

Hardness
of
Critical different
cooling structures
rate
 Factors Affecting Critical Cooling Rate
• Any thing which shifts the TTT diagrm towards
right will decrease the critical cooling rate
• The following factor affect the critical coolin rate
– 1. Grain size
– 2. Carbon content
– 3. Alloying elements
Increase in grain size, carbon content or alloying
elements shifts the TTT diagram towards right and
hence reduces the critical cooling rate as shown in
next slide.
Effect of Carbon Content and Grain
Size on Critical Cooling Rate
Superposition of TTT and CCT
Diagrams for Eutectoid Steel
 The CCT diagram (solid lines) for a 1080 steel
compared with the TTT diagram (dashed lines).
©2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning ™ is a trademark used herein under license.

steel.
(a)TTT and
(b) (b) CCT curves for a 4340
 Factors Affecting TTT Diagram
• 1. Grain size
• 2. Carbon content
• 3. Alloying elements
 Effect of Grain Size
• Fine grain steels tend to promote formation of
ferrite and pearlite from austenite.
• Hence decrease in grain size shifts the TTT
diagram towards left.
• Therefore, critical cooling rate increases with
decrease in grain size.
 Effect of Carbon Content
• There is a significant influence of composition on
the TTT and CCT diagrams. For the
transformation diagrams we see the effect
through a shift in the transformation curves. For
example:
– An increase in carbon content shifts the CCT and TTT
curves to the right (this corresponds to an increase in
hardenability as it increases the ease of forming
martensite - i.e. the cooling rate required to attain
martensite is less severe).
– An increase in carbon content decreases the Ms
(martensite start) temperature.
 Effect of Alloying Elements
• Different alloying elements have their
different effects on TTT diagram.
• An increase in alloy content shifts the CCT and
TTT curves to the right and
• Alloying elements also modify the shape of
the TTT diagram and separate the ferrite +
pearlite region from the bainite region making
the attainment of a bainitic structure more
controllable.
Effect of Alloying Elements on TTT
Diagram
Slow Cooling
In attained

Time in region
Formation of ferrite and
indicates
pearlite amount of
microconstituent!
Medium Cooling
In attained

Formation of Bainite
Fast Cooling
In attained

Martensite in ~ 1
minute of cooling
•

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