Name: Gurinder Singh

Instructor: Betts, Dana

Assignment: A5
Course code: MATE1100A
Due Date: October 20, 2022

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

Academic Integrity Policy”
MATE1100A Assignment# A5

Metal Materials and Testing Due: October 20, 2022

Betts, Dana Gurinder 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.

Ans: There are 4 main phases according to the Iron-Carbon phase equilibrium diagram.

1. BCC α Ferrite – It can be seen below the region of temperature 727oC, and it is soft, dulctile
and magnetic.
2. FCC Ɣ Austenite – this phase only exists above the region of 727 oC, and the steel in this
phase is soft and non-magnetic.
3. Fe3C – It may exist above as well as below 727oC and it is hard and brittle.
4. Pearlite – It can be seen below 727oC and it is the combination of BCC α Ferrite and 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.

Ans: When there is no carbon present in steel, it is 100% pure ferrite, but as the carbon content
increases to 0.5%, some of the ferrite will be converted into the layers of Ferrite and Fe 3C,
known as pearlite, and the microstructure at this stage is majority Ferrite and minority Pearlite.
When the carbon content is increased to 0.8%, all of the ferrite gets converted into Pearlite, and
thus reaches the saturation point where no more Fe 3C can be absorbed. With the further
increase in carbon content to 1.5%, excessive Fe3C accumulates at the grain boundary, and the
microstructure at this stage includes majority Pearlite and minority Fe 3C. Finally, when the
carbon content is raised to 3.2%, excessive Fe3C forms the thicker boundaries and the
microstructure is now majority Fe3C and minority Pearlite.
MATE1100A Assignment# A5

Metal Materials and Testing Due: October 20, 2022

Betts, Dana Gurinder Singh

Page 2 of 5

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

Ans: The alloying elements can dissolve into the solid solution in most metals at the phase changing
temperatures, and under equilibrium conditions they can fall out of the solution at the grain
boundary when cooled slowly in air. However, under non-equilibrium conditions, excess alloying
atoms do not have enough time to reach the grain boundary when rapidly quenched, therefore
they get trapped and distort the microstructure into hard and brittle substance.

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

Ans: Following are the conditions required for quench hardening to work –

1. Austenizing temperature/ phase change: steel should be heated above the austenizing
temperature, which is above 727oC. If quenching is done on steel below this temperature, it
would not lead to the desirable results.
2. Sufficient carbon equivalence: Carbon equivalence, which is the carbon rating in steel
based on carbon content and fractional values of alloys, should be at least 0.6% for
quenching to be effective.
3. Rapid cooling rate: at least 600oF/sec of a rapid cooling rate is required in order to get the
desirable results, if the cooling rate is slower, it would not form the required microstructure.

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

Ans: The process of tempering involves taking the warm martensite and holding it slightly above M s
line for upto 2 hours, and then cooling it in air.

The softness mechanisms used are:

Slow diffusion/decay of some martensite to Pearlite

Slow diffusion/decay of retained Austenite to Pearlite

Recrystallisation of some stresses and dislocations

The resulting structure is the material with improved toughness while retaining the strength.
MATE1100A Assignment# A5

Metal Materials and Testing Due: October 20, 2022

Betts, Dana Gurinder Singh

Page 3 of 5

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

Ans: The process of austempering involves of austenizing and then quenching in high temperature
molten salts between Austenizing and above Ms line, where it is held for long time so that it
crosses the knee lines.

The final microstructure is the coarse Bainite that is similar to Martensite but is in fact a BCC α
Ferrite and Fe3C.
MATE1100A Assignment# A5

Metal Materials and Testing Due: October 20, 2022

Betts, Dana Gurinder Singh

Page 4 of 5

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

Ans: Stress relieving involves holding the metal at 100oF to 200oF below austenizing for at least one
hour, and then it undergoes controlled cooling for many hours.

The softness mechanisms used are:

Long slow temperature allows dislocation movement

Recrystallization removes internal stresses

This leads to the microstructure of metal which will have defect and dislocation movement and
some recrystallization so that most of the internal stress can be removed without completely
changing the phase.
MATE1100A Assignment# A5

Metal Materials and Testing Due: October 20, 2022

Betts, Dana Gurinder Singh

Page 5 of 5

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

Ans: Full annealing involves austenizing the metal in order to bring about a phase change from any
BCC/BCT to FCC. Then the metal is cooled at a controlled rate of 100 oF/hr under equilibrium
conditions.

The softness mechanisms used are:

Austenizes the metal to cause phase change

Cooled at controlled rate under equilibrium conditions

The resulting structure is a large grained, soft, ductile pearlite, which is a layered BCC α Ferrite
and Fe3C.