The Iron–Iron Carbide (Fe–Fe3C) Phase

Diagram
 A phase is a region in a material that differs in structure and
function from other regions.
 Phase Diagram: is a graphical representation of the
physical states of a substance under different conditions of
temperature and pressure.
 Some important information obtainable from phase diagram
is:
 To show what phases are present at different compositions and
temperatures.
 To indicate the equilibrium solid solubility of one element in another.
 Indicates the solidification temperature range for an alloy under
equilibrium.
 To indicate the temperature at which different phases start to melt.
 Classification on the basis of
Carbon content
 Iron: less than 0.008 wt % C
in α−ferrite reigon at
room T
 Steels: 0.008 - 2.14 wt % C
(usually steel< 1 wt % )
 Cast iron: 2.14 - 6.7 wt %
C (commercial cast irons usually
< 4.5 wt %)
 Phases in Fe–Fe3C Phase Diagram
Pure iron upon heating experiences changes in crystal
structure before it melts.
1. α –Ferrite: It has BCC crystal structure- Stable form of iron at room
temperature-Carbon is only slightly soluble, reaching a maximum solid
solubility of 0.02% at 723 oC and decreases to 0.005% at 0 oC.

2. Austenite or γ-Iron, FCC

crystal structure- Ferrite is
transformed at 912 °C-Carbon
solid solubility is much higher
reaching a maximum of 2.14%
at 1148 °C and decreased to
0.8% at 723 °C.
 Phases in Fe–Fe3C Phase Diagram
3. δ-Ferrite, BCC crystal structure- Austenite is transformed at 1395 °C
and finally melts at 1538°C. The maximum solid solubility is 0.09% at
1465 °C.
4. Fe3C (Iron Carbide or
Cementite)An intermediate
compound. The composition axis in
Figure extends only to 6.70 wt% C.
Cementite is hard and brittle
compound
 Invariant reactions in Fe–Fe3C Phase
Diagram
 An invariant reaction for a binary alloy is one occurring
when three phases are in equilibrium.
 There are three important reactions taking place in Fe-C
System:
1. Eutectic reaction
2. Eutectoid reaction
3. Peritectic Reaction
 Invariant reactions in Fe–Fe3C Phase
Diagram
1. Eutectic reaction
 At the eutectic reaction point, liquid of 4.3% C forms γ-austenite of 2.08% C
and the intermetallic compound Fe3C (Cementite) which contains 6.67% C.
 This reaction which occurs at 1148 °C can be written as:
Liquid (4.3% C) γ-austenite (2.08% C) + Fe3C

 This reaction is not encountered in

plain carbon steels because their
carbon contents are too low.
 Invariant reactions in Fe–Fe3C Phase
Diagram
2. Eutectoid reaction
 At the eutectoid reaction point, solid austenite of 0.8% C produces α-ferrite with
0.02% C and Fe3C (Cementite) which contains 6.67% C.
 This reaction which occurs at 723 °C can be written as:
γ-austenite (0.8% C) α-ferrite (0.02% C) + Fe3C

 This reaction takes place completely

in the solid state is important for
some of the heat treatments of plain
carbon steels.
 Invariant reactions in Fe–Fe3C Phase
Diagram
3. Peritectic reaction
 At the peritectic reaction point, liquid of 0.53% C combines with δ-ferrite of
0.09% C to form γ-austenite of 0.17% C.
 This reaction which occurs at 1495 °C can be written as:
liquid (0.53% C) + δ (0.09% C) γ (0.17% C)