Name: Gurpratap Singh

Instructor: Dana Betts

Assignment: 2022 (2)
Course code: MATE1100A
Due Date: 29 September, 2022

“This document is my own work and is in accordance with NBCC

Academic Integrity Policy”
MATE 1100A Assignment# 2

Metal Materials and Testing Due: September 29 sept 2022

Mr. Betts Dana Gurpratap Singh

Page 1 of 5

#1 Identify the main phases present, and their characteristics, from the Iron-carbon phase
equilibrium diagram seen in Figure 13-7, as discussed in class.

BCC α Ferrite

At room temperature, pure iron is composed of a body-centered cubic lattice. In this form it is known as
alpha iron, also called ferrite, which is soft, ductile, and magnetic

FCC γ Austenite – soft, non-magnetic, only exists above 7270C*. When heated above about 1415°F
(768°C), alpha iron loses its magnetism but retains its body-centered crystalline structure The
crystal structure changes to face-centered cubic at about 1670°F (910°C), at which temperature
alpha iron is transformed to gamma iron, the FCC form, and remains nonmagnetic.

Fe3C / Iron Carbide / Cementite – hard and brittle.

Each molecule is made of three iron atoms bonded to one carbon atom (Fe3C) to form a crystal lattice
structure  where multiple rectangular prisms arise from the same base structure and intersect at
90 degree angles. The result is a very hard and brittle substance called iron carbide, or
cementite.

Pearlite – layered BCC α Ferrite and Fe3C together**. Pearlite is usually formed during the slow
cooling of iron alloys, and can begin at a temperature of 1150°C to 723°C, depending on
the composition of the alloy. It is usually a lamellar (alternate plate) combination of ferrite
and cementite (Fe3C).

#2 Explain in detail, how the microstructure of steel changes to adapt to the increase in carbon
content, using figure 13-8 as the basis of your explanation. Include sketches of each carbon
level and identify the majority and minority phases.

100% pure Ferrite

Since there is NO carbon present, the only microstructure seen is Ferrite.

@0.5% carbon

Carbon in the form of Fe3C begins to convert SOME of the Ferrite into layered pockets of Ferrite and
Fe3C, also known as Pearlite.

Microstructure will be majority Ferrite and minority Pearlite.

@0.5% carbon

Carbon in the form of Fe3C begins to convert SOME of the Ferrite into layered pockets of Ferrite and
Fe3C, also known as Pearlite
@0.8% carbon

Carbon in the form of Fe3C has converted ALL of the Ferrite into layered pockets of Ferrite and Fe 3C, also
known as Pearlite.

Microstructure will be saturated Pearlite and cannot absorb any more Fe 3C.

@1.5% carbon

Carbon in the form of Fe3C wants to enter, but can’t because the Pearlite is saturated. It ends up in the
grain boundary.

Microstructure will be majority Pearlite and minority Fe 3C

@3.2% carbon

The grain boundaries have become so wide with brittle Fe3C such that it causes load transfer through the
boundary rather than the grain.

Microstructure will be majority Fe3C and minority Pearlite.

#3 Explain, in detail, how alloying atoms can fit into solid solution in most metals.

Solid solution strengthening is a type of alloying that can be used to improve the strength of a pure metal
Fe3C can’t migrate out to the grain boundary when it is rapidly quenched and becomes trapped,
distorting the microstructure into hard, brittle BCT Martensite

#4 What are the three prerequisites for quench hardening to work? Explain each in detail.

Preheat the material at austunxing temperature also sufficent carbon percentage should be added to it
and rapid cooling should be done to make it more brittle and hard.

#5 Detail the process, softening mechanisms and resulting structures for tempering. Include a
mini-TTT diagram showing this process.

Softening processes are used post-quenching as most steels will be too hard and brittle to use.
A softening is used to convert SOME or all of the Martensite to Ferrite in which Once the
metal reaches the desired temperature, it is held there for a specified time.
Following the dwell time, the furnace is turned off as the steel is cooled at a

specific rate. Slow diffusion/decay of SOME Martensite (~15%) to Pearlite.

Slow diffusion/decay Austenite to Pearlite.of retained

Recrystallization of some stresses and dislocations.

#6 Detail the process used in austempering. What will the final microstructure be for this process?
Include a mini-TTT diagram showing these processes.

1. This process is austenizing followed by a quench in high temperature molten

salts between Austenizing and above Ms line. It is held here long enough to
cross the knee lines The heat treatment is cooling of austenite rapidly in a bath
maintained at lower bainitic temperature (aboveMs) temperature (avoiding the
nose of the TTT diagram) and holding it here to equalize surface and centre

temperature and till bainitic finish time. This “plays head games” with the metal:
the end product is coarse Bainite which looks like Martensite but is actually BCC α
Ferrite and Fe3C. The metal is strong and tough, has reduced thermal distortion,
but isn’t as strong or as hard as Martensite.

#7 Detail the process, softening mechanisms and resulting microstructures for stress relieving.
Include a mini-TTT diagram showing this process.

These are specialized heat-treating processes that involve temperature cycling to alter

properties and reduce internal stresses, most often after welding, forming, and fabrication.
Stress Relieving (Pg 400) – This process does NOT austenite the metal; rather, it holds it
at 1000F to 2000F below austenitizing for a minimum of one hour followed by a controlled
cool (usually taking MANY hours).

#8

Detail the process used in, the softening mechanisms of and resulting structures for full
annealing. Include a mini-TTT diagram showing this process