EN1101/EN2101: Materials and Manufacture

Part 10: Steel Phase Diagrams

Dr Mark Eaton
EatonM@cf.ac.uk
@drmarkeaton
Room: W2.27
 Part 10 Learning Aims
• Introduce the Iron-Iron Carbon phase
diagram (Steel and Cast Iron)
– Detail the phases and phase changes present
• Discuss how microstructure changes with
composition (equilibrium cooling)
• Consider how this effects mechanical
properties
Iron – Iron Carbide Phase Diagram
 Composition of Steels
• Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon,
Steel - ductile
usually between 0.022% and
2.14%.
– 0.05 – 0.3% (low carbon)
– 0.3 – 0.8% (medium carbon)
– >0.8% (high carbon)
• <0.022% C: iron Cast Iron - brittle
• >2.14% C: cast iron
• Many other elements may be
present, either deliberately or as by-
products of the production process.
 Structure of Iron
• Pure iron forms a bcc structure called ferrite
or  below 912ºC.
• Above 912ºC this changes to a fcc structure
called austenite or .
• Above 1394ºC another bcc structure called
 - ferrite occurs.
• Very little carbon is soluble in ferrite, but
austenite accommodates up to 2.14%.
 Equilibrium Phase Changes
• On heating above the eutectoid, austenite is
formed and dissolves up to 2.14% C.
• On cooling the austenite transforms to
ferrite, which rejects almost all the carbon.
• A mixture of ferrite and cementite is formed
at room temperature.
Eutectoid Cooling
Hypoeutectoid Cooling
Hypereutectoid Cooling
 Equilibrium Phase Changes
• The mixture of phases that is formed
depends on the composition.
• A eutectoid mixture (0.77%C) will form
pearlite throughout.
• <0.77%C will produce a mixture of ferrite
and pearlite.
• >0.77%C will produce a mixture of pearlite
and cementite.
 Mechanical Properties
• The presence of carbon strengthens the
steel by solid solution hardening.
• The formation of pearlite produces a very
small grain size- strong.
• The cementite phase is very hard and brittle.
• Thus the yield stress and tensile strength
increase with C content. But ductility
decreases.
 Summary
• Steel (Iron-Carbon) is most widely used
engineering material
• Relatively small quantities of C (up to ~2%)
make a significant difference on properties
• (Equilibrium) Microstructure is determined by
eutectoid point
 Part 10 – Task 1
• Answer the quiz questions which help you to
gauge your comprehension and
understanding of the material.

• Submit any questions via MentiMeter link:

https://www.menti.com/7iwyzgabfa