Experiment No:06

Experiment Name: Microstructure study of High Carbon Steel

Course No: MSE 2104

Course Tittle: Metallography Sessional

Name of the Student: Md. Esmail Hossain

Student ID: 1813028
Group: 5(A)

Date of the performance: 09/11/2020

Date of the performance: 23/11/2020
Objectives:
1.To learn the preparation of specimen for microscopic observation.
2.To understand what Microscopy is, and how it can be used to observe Microstructure of
Metals.
3.To learn about the microstructure of High Carbon Steel.
4.To learn the structural characteristics of High Carbon steel.
5.To view what kind of structure High Carbon Steel has.
6.To study the importance of the various steps in sample preparation.
7.To understand the need of grinding, polishing, mounting, etching etc.

Theory:
Metallography is the study of metals by optical and electron microscopes. Structures, which are
coarse enough to be discernible by the naked eye or under low magnifications, are termed
macrostructures. Useful information can often be gained by examination with the naked eye of
the surface of metal objects or polished and etched sections. Those, which require high
magnification to be visible, are termed microstructures. Microscopes are required for the
examination of the microstructure of the metals. Optical microscopes are used for resolutions
down to roughly the wavelength of light (about half a micron) and electron microscopes are used
for detail below this level, down to atomic resolution. The most commonly used microscope is
the conventional light microscope. In principle, optical microscopes may be used to look through
specimens ('in transmission') as well as at them ('in reflection'). Many materials, however, do not
transmit light and so we are restricted to looking at the surface of the specimens with an optical
microscope. Electron microscope can be used in the transmission e.g. Transmission Electron
Microscope (TEM) and to look at the surfaces e.g. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
Microscopy can give information concerning a material's composition, previous treatment and
properties. Particular features of interest are (1) Grain size (II) phases present (III) Chemical
homogeneity (IV) distribution of phases (V) Elongated structures formed by plastic deformation.
High Carbon Steel can be prepared either by hand polishing or machine polishing prior to
microscopic examination. Every substance in the world or universe is consists of smallest
particle, which is called atom. In metal also numerous particles are exist in particular shape and
size. We can find anything with substance is a magnified form. We can see the internal structure,
shape, size, arrangements of several considered by its whole characteristics of internal structure.
The microstructure will reveal the mechanical and thermal treatment of the metal, and it may be
possible to predict its expected behavior under a given set of conditions.
 Experience has indicated that success in microscopic study depends largely upon the care taken
in the preparation of the High Carbon Steel. The most expensive microscope will not reveal the
structure of High Carbon Steels that has been poorly prepared. The procedure to be followed in
the preparation of High Carbon Steels is comparatively simple and involves a technique which is
developed only after constant practice. The ultimate objective is to produce a flat, scratch free,
mirror-like surface.
High carbon steels, as their name suggests, are steels with high carbon content. If iron is heated
to a high temperature, it dissolves carbon, which would normally precipitate upon cooling.
However, if this liquid metal is cooled very quickly by ‘quenching’ it in water, the carbon is
trapped and distorts the structure of the substance, forming high carbon steel. If you continue
increasing the carbon content of steel beyond about 2%, it eventually becomes cast iron, the
material famously used in Le Creuset cookware, a much harder, denser and more brittle metal as
a result of its impurities.

The carbon in this sample of steel strengthens it and gives it the ability to harden by heat
treatment. It also makes it less ductile and weldable than ordinary steel, and it becomes much
more brittle as a result of its impurities. Because of its extreme hardness and resistance to wear,
high carbon steel is often used for things like cutting tools that retain their sharp edge, and
masonry nails that can be driven into concrete blocks or bricks without bending (although due to
their brittleness they do have a propensity to fracture if they are mistreated).

High Carbon Steels are types of ferrous materials and are most important to the engineering
application because of their wide range of properties and verity of applications. Theoretically,
High Carbon Steels are the alloys of iron and carbon in which the carbon content is between 0.6
to 2.0 per cent. The structures and properties can be discussed with the help of Fe-C equilibrium
diagram.
 Figure.1: The FeFe3 C Phase diagram

Figure 1 shows the equilibrium diagram for combinations of carbon in a solid solution of iron. The
diagram shows iron and carbons combined to form Fe-Fe3C at the 6.67%C end of the diagram. The left
side of the diagram is pure iron combined with carbon, resulting in steel alloys. Three significant regions
can be made relative to the steel portion of the diagram. They are the eutectoid, the hypoeutectoid, and
the hypereutectoid. In the hypoeutectoid region, there are three or four types of steels, such as

a) Low carbon steels (0.008 - 0.3%C)

b) Medium carbon steels (0.30 - 0.60%C)

c) High carbon steels ( 0.60 - 2.00%C)

Allotropic changes take place when there is a change in crystal lattice structure. From 2802°- 2552°F the
delta iron has a body-centered cubic lattice structure. At 2552°F, the lattice changes from a body-
centered cubic to a face-centered cubic lattice type. At 1400°F, the curve shows a plateau but this does
not signify an allotropic change. It is called the Curie temperature, where the metal changes its magnetic
properties.

Two very important phase changes take place at 0.83%C and at 4.3% C. At 0.83%C, the transformation is
eutectoid, called pearlite.

gamma (austenite) —> alpha + Fe3C (cementite)

At 4.3% C and 2066°F, the transformation is eutectic, called ledeburite.

L(liquid) --> gamma (austenite) + + Fe3C (cementite).

Required Apparatus:
1.Cutting machine
2.Grinding machine
3.Grade emery papers (180,320,600,800,1200,1500)
4.Wet polishing machine
5.Al2O3 and water
6.5% Nital
7.Metallurgical microscope

OBSERVATION:
Now I’m going to describe about the microstructure of our experimental specimen. In this
experiment we can not work in our lab because of COVID-19 pandemic that’s why our class
teacher saw this whole experiment online. In our experiment of High Carbon Steel, we observe
two layer such as Pearlite and Cementite. Cementite like as black and Pearlite are white like
figure print. We observe 200X,500X microstructure of High carbon steel on Microscope.
In 200x, we have been seen grain boundary and also identified some phase. In the stage, we
found some Pearlite and Cementite. Then we increase the focus from 200x to 500x, we found
decreased the grain boundary and increased the amount pearlite. We have seen the pearlite as
figure print.

Discussion:
Study of microstructure of High Carbon Steel is very important because we can make change of
its properties by adding some other ingredients on it. But before we’ve to know its internal
properties and this practical experiment explore a new window to learn about its properties.
It is very important an engineer to determine the internal properties of any structural material
that’s why the Study of microstructure of High Carbon Steel is very essential for us. It is possible
to determine grain size and the size, shape and distribution of various phases and inclusions
which have a great effect on the mechanical properties of the metal. The macrostructure will
reveal the mechanical and thermal treatment of the metal and it may be possible to predict its
expected behavior under a given set of conditions. This will help us to choice right types of steel
for various purposes also to develop new types of steel in future. This experiment also explores a
new concept about steel.
We’re very thankful to our respective teachers who’ve given this great scope to us. But we’ve
also fallen some great problem in time of performing this experiment but our respective teacher
gave our such instruction that we are complete our experiment easily.

Reference:
1.https://www.scribd.com/doc/92052974/structural-study-of-steel.
2. https://www.instituteofmaking.org.uk/materials-library/material/high-carbon-steel
3.http://www.atri.edu.in/images/pdf/departments/METALLURGY%20&%20MATERIAL%20S
CIENCE%20Lab%20manual.pdf