ME221 S1 Lecture 14b Alankar

ICME and Materials Genome Lab, Prof.
Alankar, 2022
Structural Materials
Phase Transformations, Fe-C System
ME 221
Lecture 14b
Alankar Alankar
alankar.alankar@iitb.ac.in; Ph. 9356
Office: S02, ME Building
Lab: ICME Research Lab
www.me.iitb.ac.in/~alankar
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ICME and Materials Genome Lab, Prof. Alankar, 2022
Fe-Fe3C Phase Diagram
δ ferrite = BCC
α ferrite = BCC
ϒ austenite = FCC
cementite=Orthorhombic
Callister, Fig. 9.24, pg. 290

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Various Phases in Fe-Fe3C System

The austenite, or ϒ phase of iron, when alloyed with carbon alone, is not stable
below 7270C (13410F). The maximum solubility of carbon in austenite, 2.14 wt%,
occurs at 11470C (20970F). This solubility is approximately 100 times greater than
the maximum for BCC ferrite, since the FCC interstitial positions are larger and,
therefore, the strains imposed on the surrounding iron atoms are much lower.
The δ ferrite is virtually the same as a ferrite, except for the range of
temperatures over which each exists. Since the δ ferrite is stable only at relatively
high temperatures, it is of no technological importance and is not discussed
further.
Cementite is very hard and brittle; the strength of some steels is greatly enhanced
by its presence. Cementite is only metastable; that is, it will remain as a
compound indefinitely at room temperature. However, if heated to between
6500C and 7000C (1200 and 13000F) for several years, it will gradually change or
transform into α iron and carbon, in the form of graphite, which will remain upon
subsequent cooling to room temperature.
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Quick Facts: Fe-Fe3C Phase Diagram

δ ferrite = BCC
α ferrite = BCC
1. The composition axis extends only to 6.70 wt% C. ϒ austenite = FCC
2. At this concentration the intermediate compound iron-carbide, or cementite (Fe3C),
is present 100 %, which is represented by a vertical line on the phase diagram.
3. The iron–carbon system may be divided into two parts: an iron-rich portion and the
other (not shown) for compositions between 6.70 and 100 wt% C (pure graphite).
4. In practice, all steels and cast irons have carbon contents less than 6.70 wt% C;
therefore, we consider only the Fe-Fe3C system.
5. More appropriately called the Fe–Fe3C phase diagram, since Fe3C is now considered
to be a component.
6. Convention and convenience dictate that composition still be expressed in “wt% C”
rather than “wt% Fe3C”; 6.70 wt% C corresponds to 100 wt% Fe3C.
7. Carbon is an interstitial impurity in iron and forms a solid solution with each of α and
δ ferrites, and also with ϒ (austenite), as indicated by the α, δ, and ϒ single- phase
fields.
8. In the BCC α ferrite, only small concentrations of carbon are soluble; the maximum
solubility is 0.022 wt% at 7270C (13410F). The limited solubility is explained by the
shape and size of the BCC interstitial positions, which make it difficult to
accommodate the carbon atoms. Even though present in relatively low
concentrations, carbon significantly influences the mechanical properties of ferrite.
Callister, pg. 291 4
Peritectic, Eutectic and Eutectoid reactions in Fe-Fe3C Phase Diagram

δ ferrite = BCC
L+δ =γ α ferrite = BCC
ϒ austenite = FCC
Peritectic Reaction
(1493 C), heating and cooling both
Eutectic Reaction at 0.76 wt. %.
Eutectoid Reaction at 0.76 wt. %

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Eutectoid Reaction in Steel
Schematic
representation of the
formation of pearlite
from austenite;
direction of carbon
diffusion indicated by
arrows.

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Microstructure Evolution around Eutectoid Reaction

As it is cooled from within the austenite phase
region to below the eutectoid temperature.
Proeutectoid ferrite
since this was present
before eutectoid
Pearlite reaction
Photomicrograph of a 0.38 wt% C steel having a microstructure

consisting of pearlite and proeutectoid ferrite
Callister, Fig. 9.30, pg. 296 Callister, Fig. 9.29, pg. 295
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Determination of various phases in Hypo-Eutectoid region
Hypo-Eutectoid region is the one that

is before Eutectoid point.
Fraction of pearlite:
Fraction of proeutectoid α
100 %
pearlite
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Determination of various phases in Hyper-Eutectoid region
Hyper-Eutectoid region is the one that

is after Eutectoid point.
Fraction of pearlite:
Fraction of proeutectoid Fe3C
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Proeutectoid Cementite in Hypereutectoid Alloys

Schematic representations of the microstructures for an iron–
carbon alloy of hypereutectoid composition (containing more than
0.76 wt% C) as it is cooled from within the austenite phase region
to below the eutectoid temperature.
Proeutectoid
cementite
Pearlite
Photomicrograph of a 1.4 wt% C steel having a microstructure

consisting of a white proeutectoid cementite network surrounding
the pearlite colonies. (Copyright 1971 by United States Steel
Corporation.)
Callister, Fig. 9.30, pg. 296 Callister, Fig. 9.32, pg. 298
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Example Problem
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Effect of Pearlite on Mechanical Behavior

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Transformation into ‘Martensite’ by Rapid Cooling

These atoms were earlier part
of the fcc lattice. Due to
quenching, atoms reconfigure
themselves to make Body
C
Centered Tetragonal (BCT) cell.
atom
Which cell has more space for

interstitial ? It is fcc, not bcc !
Remember the the Fe-Fe3C
phase diagram. Thus, BCT
lattice is strained. Phase with
Transformation by Rotation due to rapid quenching
BCT structure is called
Martensite.
Notes from U. of Tennessee
x represents a possible position of C atom.
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Summary of Transformations of Austenite
M.J. Peet, in Structural Alloys for Power Plants, 2014
• Pearlite has lamellar structure.

• Bainite has coarse, plate (needle), feathery structure.
• Martensite has sharp needle shape structure.
Solid lines are diffusional transformation and dashed is diffusionless transformation.

Notes from U. of Tennessee
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The End
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ME221 S1 Lecture 14b Alankar

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ICME and Materials Genome Lab, Prof.

Fe-Fe3C Phase Diagram

Callister, Fig. 9.24, pg. 290

Various Phases in Fe-Fe3C System

Quick Facts: Fe-Fe3C Phase Diagram

Peritectic, Eutectic and Eutectoid reactions in Fe-Fe3C Phase Diagram

Eutectic Reaction at 0.76 wt. %.

Eutectoid Reaction at 0.76 wt. %

Callister, Fig. 9.24, pg. 290

Eutectoid Reaction in Steel

Callister, Fig. 9.25, pg. 291

Microstructure Evolution around Eutectoid Reaction

Photomicrograph of a 0.38 wt% C steel having a microstructure

Determination of various phases in Hypo-Eutectoid region

Hypo-Eutectoid region is the one that

Callister, Fig. 9.31, pg. 297

Determination of various phases in Hyper-Eutectoid region

Hyper-Eutectoid region is the one that

Fraction of proeutectoid Fe3C

Callister, Fig. 9.31, pg. 297

Proeutectoid Cementite in Hypereutectoid Alloys

Photomicrograph of a 1.4 wt% C steel having a microstructure

Effect of Pearlite on Mechanical Behavior

Callister, Fig. 9.35, pg. 302

Transformation into ‘Martensite’ by Rapid Cooling

Which cell has more space for

x represents a possible position of C atom.

Summary of Transformations of Austenite

M.J. Peet, in Structural Alloys for Power Plants, 2014

• Pearlite has lamellar structure.

Solid lines are diffusional transformation and dashed is diffusionless transformation.

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