Phase Diagrams II

The Fe-C System

Photos by
Berenice Abbott

MATE 210
K. Chen F’02
 The Iron−Iron Carbide Phase Diagram

allotropic Fe:
BCC-δ

FCC-γ
austenite

BCC-α
ferrite

(Fe) Fe3C
cementite
Steel: 0.0008-2.14 wt% C (from γ)
Cast Iron: 2.14-6.7 wt% C MATE 210
K. Chen F’02
The Iron−Iron Carbide Phase Diagram

Fe3C
cementite

eutectic: L → γ + Fe3C 4.3 wt% C, 1147°C

eutectoid: γ → α + Fe3C 0.76 wt% C, 727°C
MATE 210
K. Chen F’02
 Eutectoid: 0.76 wt% C, 727°C
γ
austenite
(0.76 wt% C)

α + Fe3C
ferrite + cementite
(~0 % C), (6.7 wt% C)
“pearlite”

C must diffuse from austenite

to form ferrite and cementite
→ lamellae structure - “pearlite”

pearlite MATE 210

K. Chen F’02
 Review of the Phases in the Fe-C System

γ: austenite
FCC, high-temperature phase
Fe-rich alloy, (large solubility of C)

eutectoid
reaction

α: ferrite Fe3C: cementite

BCC, low-temperature phase carbide
~ 0 wt% C 6.7 wt% C

Pearlite
0.76 wt% C
(“microstructure” of two phases, α + Fe3C)
MATE 210
K. Chen F’02
 Hypoeutectoid Steel: <0.8 wt% C
γ
austenite

α′
α′ + γ
proeutectoid ferrite + austenite

α′ + α + Fe3C
proeutectoid ferrite + pearlite

• γ cools and enters the α′+ γ phase field

• precipitate α′ and γ follows γ/α′+γ boundary to eutectoid point
• γ goes through eutectoid reaction to form pearlite
MATE 210
K. Chen F’02
 Hypereutectoid Steel: >0.8 wt% C
γ
austenite

Fe3C′
Fe3C′ + γ
proeutectoid cementite + austenite

Fe3C′ + α + Fe3C
proeutectoid cementite + pearlite

• γ cools and enters the Fe3C′+γ phase field

• precipitate Fe3C′ and γ follows γ/Fe3C′+γ boundary to eutectoid point
• γ goes through eutectoid reaction to form pearlite MATE 210
K. Chen F’02
 What phases would you expect for the following steels at RT?
Which would you expect to be harder and stronger? WHY?

1050:

1090:

austenite: 0 − 2.14 wt% C

ferrite: ~ 0% C
cementite: 6.7 wt% C
pearlite: 0.76 wt% C MATE 210
K. Chen F’02
 PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS IN STEELS
Eutectoid reaction at 727°C: γ (0.8 wt% C) ↔ α (~ 0% C) + Fe3C (6.7 wt% C)
↑ “pearlite structure”  ↑

Nonequilibrium or Fast Quench: γ → M (martensite, same C carbon content)

HYPOEUTECTOID EUTECTOID HYPEREUTECTOID
( < 0.8 wt% C) (0.8 wt% C) ( > 0.8 wt% C)
high
temp γ γ γ
austenite austenite austenite
↓ ↓
α′ + γ Fe3C′ + γ
proeutectoid ferrite + austenite ↓ proeutectoid cementite + austenite

below
727°C
α′ + α + Fe3C α + Fe3C Fe3C′ + α + Fe3C
proeutectoid ferrite + pearlite pearlite proeutectoid cementite + pearlite

MATE 210
K. Chen F’02
 Phase Diagrams II
Checklist

• Discuss the importance of steels.

• Define eutectoid reactions, and contrast with eutectic reactions.

• Identify the phases involved in the eutectoid reaction in steels.

• Explain the differences among hypoeutectoid, eutectoid, and

hypereutectoid steels.

• Explain why pearlite is a microstructure and not a phase.

MATE 210
K. Chen F’02