Fe-c

phase diagram

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 Learning objectives
The objectives of this chapter are to

● Identify the types of alloys.

• Know the types of solid solutions.

● Identify the equilibrium diagrams types.

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 Sample exam type question
5-1-Example
. Metal A melts at 1400ºC, Metal B melts at 600ºC. Thermal arrest data is
obtained from cooling curves for the alloy of AB and is shown below.
%A 0 10 20 30 50 60 80 90 100

1st Arrest Point 600 700 860 960 1140 1220 1320 1370 1400

2nd Arrest Point 0 630 690 760 910 1000 1160 1280 0

(i) Plot and label the equilibrium diagram

(ii) For an alloy containing 40% of A and 60% B state
(a) Solidification commencing temperature
(b) Solidification ending temperature
(c) The composition of phases at 900ºC in the start solidification
(d) The ratio of phases

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Solution
(L)

(i)

(TCᵒ)

Tie line
(S)

A%

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(ii) For an alloy containing 40% of A and 60% B state
(a) Solidification commencing at 1060ºC
(b) Solidification ending at 840ºC
(c) Composition of phases at 900ºC , at
Liquid Point C = 25% A and 75% B.

Solid point E = 45% A and 65% B.

(d) The ratio is the Law of Lever rule.
Liquid ratio (DE) =DE/YX = (48-40)/(48-25 )*100% = 35%
Solid ratio (DC) =DC/YX = (40-25)/(48-25 )*100% = 65%

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5-2- Iron-Carbon System:
The phase diagram is called (Fe- C) phase diagram.
Pure iron is a relatively soft, ductile low strength metal with few practical
engineering applications.
The addition of Carbon to pure iron increases strength and hardenability to
useful levels. However, it decreases ductility. The addition of Carbon
influences allotropic changes.
The ALLOTROPY of iron
Allotropy is the ability of some elements to exist in different physical forms
(differing in color, hardness, melting point etc.).
Iron is allotropic; at room temperature, pure iron exists in the Body Centered
Cubic (B.C.C) crystal form but on heating transforms to a Face Centered Cubic
(F.C.C) crystal.

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Figure 5.1 The iron-iron carbide phase diagram.

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The phase diagram consists of the following:

1- Four Solid Phases.

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2- AC1, AC3, A Cem (= critical temp.)

5-3- Iron carbide (Cementite or Fe3C)

• Forms when the solubility limit of carbon in α ferrite is exceeded at
temperatures below 727 ˚C.
• Mechanically, cementite is very hard and brittle.
• For ferrous alloys there are (3 basic types), based on carbon content:
1-Iron (ferrite phase): <0.008 wt% C room temp.
2-Steel (α + Fe3C phase): 0.008 to 2.14 wt% C
3-Cast iron: 2.14 to 6.70 wt% C.

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5-4- Two important points as shown in Fe-C diagram.

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5-5- Types of iron
• 1-Iron:
- pure iron (99.99 %),
- Ingot iron (some carbon, 0.1 % impurities),
- wrought iron (3% slag with low carbon).
• The solubility of carbon in iron will depend on solid phases of iron:
• Ferrite 0.02%; Austenite 2.1 %;
• Steel: 0.02 – 2.1 %; Cast iron: 2.1- 4 %
• Cementite, Fe3C: hard and brittle
• Carbon: An element increasing strength.
• Fe is soft.
2-Steel
- Steel is an alloy of iron that contains carbon ranging by weight between 0.02% and 2.11%
- Its often includes other alloying ingredients as well: manganese, chromium, nickel, molybdenum.
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Classification of steel
1-Plain carbon steel: low-carbon (<0.2%C), medium-carbon (>0.2%C and <0.5%C),
high-carbon (>0.5%C).
2-Low-alloy steel: Cr, Mn, Mo, Ni, V; alloying elements <5%
3-Stainless steels: highly alloyed steels; Cr >15%, Ni
4-Tool steel: highly alloyed steels designed for use as industrial cutting tools, and
dies.

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5-6- Mechanical properties of carbon steel.
Naturally, the proportion of primary ferrite
to pearlite in hypo-eutectoid steel, and also
the proportion of primary cementite to
pearlite in hyper-eutectoid steel, will vary
with carbon content, as indicated in Figure
(5.2 ).
This diagram summaries the structures,
mechanical properties, and uses of plain
carbon steels which have been allowed to
cool slowly enough for equilibrium
structures to be produced Fig(5.2) A diagram showing the relationship between carbon content,
mechanical properties, and uses of plain-carbon steels which have
been slowly cooled from above their upper critical temperatures
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