CE 207 Materials Science I

Dr. (Mrs) S. R. Herath

Lecture 4
Application of Phase Diagrams(Ni-Mo )
(ref. to pdf)
 Plain Carbon Steels
Components and Phases of the Iron- Carbon System

Iron (Fe)
Atomic Number 26
Atomic mass 55.85
Melting Point 1539 0C
Atomic radius 1.27 𝐴

Exists in allotropic forms.

a-iron exists at temperatures below 910 0C
also exists between 1392 0C and 1539 0C(also called d-iron)
Crystal lattice is of the b.c.c. structure
Lattice constant 2.86 𝐴
Density 7.68 g/cm3
g-iron exists at temperatures between 910 0C and 1392 0C
Crystal lattice is of f.c.c. structure
Lattice constant 3.645
8.1 g/cm 3
0
A Physical Metallurgy of Steels
Components and Phases of the Iron- Carbon System

Carbon (C)
Non metallic element
In group IV of the periodic table
Atomic number 6
Density 2.5 g/cm3
Atomic mass 12.011
Melting point 3500 0C
Atomic radius 0.77 𝐴

Exists in allotropic forms.

Graphite, Diamond, Carbon Nanotubes, Graphene
 Points
A Melting point of pure iron
A N,G Allotropic transformations of pure iron
B B liquid phase which is in equilibrium with d-
N ferrite and austenite
C E the maximum content in austenite
at the eutectic temperature
E F
S 0.8%C, at the eutectoid temperature
G
P 0.035%C, the maximum carbon content in
S Ferrite
P
Crystallization of the alloys
Line
AB liquidus line which indicates the
temperatures at which d-ferrite begins to
freeze out of the liquid alloy
BC liquidus line which indicates the temp.s
at which Austenite begins to freeze out of
the liquid alloy
ECF Eutectic temperature line(eutectic
lediburite)
 Phases in Iron-Carbon system

Ferrite A solid solution of carbon and a-iron

Low temperature a ferrite: carbon solubility 0.02%wt

High temp. d-ferrite : carbon solubility 0.1 % wt

Carbon atoms are located in the centres of the faces of

the cube. Can also be located in the vacancies, on the
dislocations etc.

Austenite Solid solution of carbon and g-iron

Maximum solubility of C in Austenite is 1.7 %.

Carbon atom is located at the centre of the unit cell

Also in the defective regions of the crystals.
 Phases in Iron-Carbon system

Cementite Chemical compound of Iron and Carbon

Fe3C (Iron Carbide)

Has a carbon content of 6.67%

Has a complex rhombic lattice with closed packed atoms
High hardness
Low ductility
Under equilibrium conditions,
graphite is formed in alloys with high carbon content.
 Phases in Iron-Carbon system

Eutectoid

Eutectic
 A Melting point of pure iron
N,G Allotropic transformations
of pure iron
Homework 2
Describe the phase changes of alloys of
following compositions of C from Austenite
region to room temperature.
Alloy I 0.3% C
Alloy II 0.8% C
Alloy III 1.1% C