INTRODUCTION TO PHASE

DIAGRAM
Outcome

 To read iron-iron carbide equilibrium diagram

 To understand invariant reaction in iron-carbide system
 Phase diagram of Fe-Fe3C
 Iron allotropic metal (more than one crystal structure depending on temperature) as in Figure
 Magnetic transformation does not change heat treatment of iron-carbon alloys (disregarded)
 Allotropic change gives of heat (exothermic) when cooling and absorb heat (endothermic) when iron is
heated
2800 Liquid

(delta) Fe BCC
2554
Temperature (F)

 (gamma) Fe FCC nonmagnetic

1666
(alpha) Fe BCC nonmagnetic

1414
(alpha) Fe BCC magnetic

Time
Iron-iron carbide phase diagram labeled with common names
for the structure
 Allotropic change depends on alloying elements which is carbon. Phase diagram between pure iron
and interstitial compound iron carbide Fe3C (6.67% carbon by weight).
 Graphite formation from 1300F to room temperature takes year. Hence metastable phase
 3 horizontal lines- isothermal reaction line
  solid solution is austenite (upper left corner). Also known as  because delta solid solution.
Horizontal line 2720 F, peritectic rection:
cooling
L+  austenite
heating

 Maximum solubility of carbon at point M 0.10 but solubility of  Fe much higher.  to  allotropic
change. NM line represents change from bcc  Fe to  Fe fcc when C 0.1%. MP indicates crystal
structure change by peritectic reaction and carbon content0.18%.
 If C less than 0.18%, crystal structure change by NP. Between 0.18 and 0.5%, the allotropic change at
constant temperature line PB. More than 0.5% C will move the diagram to right and will solidify
austenite directly.
 Eutectic point E Cis 4.3% and temperature 2065 F. CFD eutectic line. Liquid solidify to austenite and
cementite. Eutectic mixture is called LEDEBURITE.
Phase diagram….continued
cooling
Liquid austenite+ cementite
heating
 Eutectic mixture cannot be seen in microstructure. Austenite unstable at room temperature and undergo
different reaction.
 Line GH, temperature 1666F->pure iron from fcc  to bcc . This is ferrite and carbon is small.
 HJK  eutectoid reaction. Point J 0.8% carbon and temperature 1333F. Austenite transform into ferrite and
cementite

cooling
Liquid ferrite+ cementite
heating
 Below eutectoid temperature line alloy is ferrite and cementite.
 Iron-iron carbide diagram two parts. Less than 2% carbon is steel, more than 2% cast iron.
 CEMENTITE: iron carbide Fe3C. 6.67% carbon. Hard, brittle, high compressive strength. Hardest in the structure.
Tensile strength 5000 psi
 AUSTENITE:  solid solution. Interstitial solid solution of carbon dissolved in  (fcc) iron. Maximum solubility is 2%
carbon at 2065 F (point C). Tensile strength 15000 psi, elongation 10% in 2 in. Hardness 40 Rockwell, tough.
 FERRITE:  solid solution, small amount of carbon is (0.025%) interstitial solid solution in  (bcc) iron (point H)
Peritectic reaction
Eutectic reaction
Eutectoid reaction
Major phases
Ferrite (α)
 An interstitial solid solution of carbon dissolved in BCC α-iron.
 Carbon solubility – 0.025 wt.% max. at 1333˚F, 0.008 wt.% min. at room temp.
 The softest structure that appears on the iron – iron carbide diagram.
 Average properties: 40,000 psi TS, 40 % elong. in 2 inch,
 < RC 0 or < RB 90 hardness.
Austenite (γ)
 An interstitial solid solution of carbon
dissolved in FCC γ-iron.
 Carbon solubility – 2.00 wt.% max. at 2065˚F,
0.80 wt.% min. at 723 C.
 Not stable at room temp made stable under
certain con
 Average properties:
 150000psi TS, 10 % elong in 2 inch
 RC 40 hardness.
 Toughness high
 Cementite (Fe3C)

 Its chemical formula is Fe3C and contains 6.67 wt.%

carbon.
 The hardest and brittle structure that appears on
the iron – iron carbide diagram.
 Average properties: 5,000 psi TS, high compressive
strength.
 An interstitial intermetallic compound of iron
carbide with an orthorhombic structure.
 Pearlite

 The eutectoid mixture of fine plate-like

lamellar mixture of ferrite and cementite.
 Formed from austenite that contains 0.80
wt.% carbon during slow cooling at 1333˚F.
 Average properties: 120,000 psi TS, 20 %
elong. in 2 inch, RC 20 hardness.
Ledeburite

 Not stable below 723˚C, where austenite of ladeburite transformed into pearlite. The
structure is then called “transformed ladeburite.”
 The eutectic mixture of austenite and cementite.
 Formed from liquid that contains 4.30 wt.% carbon during slow cooling at 1130˚ C.
Carbon Solubility in Iron

 Iron expands when changes from austenite to ferrite during cooling.

Austenite Ferrite

● FCC structure ● BCC structure

● 4 iron atoms/unit cell ● 2 iron atoms/unit cell
● Dense atomic packing (74 %) ● Loose atomic packing (68 %)
Why does austenite absorb more carbon than
ferrite ?

❑ Radius of an average carbon atom is 0.70 (x10-8) cm.

❑ Radius of maximum void in FCC austenite is 0.52 (x10-8) cm, while that in BCC ferrite is
0.36 (x10-8) cm.
❑ The distortion of ferrite lattice by carbon atom is much greater than in case of austenite.
 € Austenite has a greater solubility of C atoms than ferrite
Classification of Iron –Carbon Alloys
 Phase diagram….continued
 Maximum carbon 0.8% at room temperature, softest structure, tensile 40000psi, 40% elongation
in 2 in, low hardness
 PERLITE: point J, point 0.8% carbon on very slow cooling to 1333F from point C. Fine platelike
or lamellar structure of ferrite and cementite. Exhibit average tensile strength, elongation but
low hardness.

(a) (b) Austenite © Pearlite

Ferrite