Khulna University of Engineering & Technology

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Course Title: Compositional and Microstructural Analysis

Course No: MSE 2206

Experiment No: 03

Experiment Name: Examination of micro structure of High

Carbon Steel

Submitted by
Name: Fuad Sadik
Roll: 2127016
Year: 2nd
Semester: 2nd
Group: A-3

Date of performance: 15.09.2024

Date of Submission: 22.09.2024

Objectives:
By completing this sessional we will able to know about:

1. The definition of High carbon steel

2. Components of high carbon steel
3. Processing of sample for high carbon steel
4. Different grades of sandpaper and their usages

5. About grain and grain boundary

6. Analyzation of the microstructure of High carbon steels.

Introduction:
Metallography is the science of examining and determining the constitution and the

underlying structure of the constituents in metals, alloys and materials. The single
crystalline part of polycrystalline metal separated by similar entities by a grain boundary.
One of the main goals of Materials Science and Engineering is to manipulate the process

of developing a material to achieve our expected properties in the materials.

Steel Composition:

Steel is primarily composed of iron (Fe) and a small percentage of carbon (C), typically
less than 2%. However, the addition of other alloying elements, such as manganese,
chromium, nickel, and molybdenum, can significantly alter its properties. The unique
blend of these elements results in a material with remarkable mechanical and chemical
properties.

Properties of Steel:

i. Steel is known for its exceptional strength, making it suitable for supporting heavy
loads and withstanding extreme forces.
ii. It has excellent resistance to wear, corrosion, and impact, ensuring a long service
life.

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 iii. Steel can be easily shaped and molded into various forms without losing its
structure.
iv. It can deform without breaking, allowing for flexibility in design and construction.
v. It is highly recyclable, contributing to sustainability and environmental
conservation.

Types of Steel:

1. Carbon Steel: This is the most common type of steel, characterized by its relatively
low carbon content (0.02% to 2.14%). Carbon steel can be further divided into three
subcategories:
a. Low Carbon Steel: Also known as mild steel, it contains a low percentage of
carbon (0.02% to 0.35%) and is easily machinable and formable. It finds
applications in construction, automotive, and general fabrication.
b. Medium Carbon Steel: With a higher carbon content (0.35% to 0.65%), this
type offers increased strength and hardness. It's used for components requiring
higher load-bearing capabilities, such as gears and shafts.
c. High Carbon Steel: This type contains a significant carbon percentage (0.65%
to
2.14%), resulting in high hardness and wear resistance.
2. Alloy Steel: Alloying elements like chromium, nickel, molybdenum, and vanadium
are added to steel to enhance specific properties. Examples include:

a. Low Alloy Steel: Contains a relatively small percentage of alloying elements,

often less than 5wt%.
b. High Alloy Steel: Contains a relatively high percentage of alloying element
which is greater than 5wt%.

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High carbon steel is a type of steel that contains a higher amount of carbon compared to
other types of steel. Carbon content typically ranges from about 0.65% to 2.14% or more,
though there isn't a strict definition for the exact carbon content that qualifies steel as high
carbon.
Let's explore these microstructures:

a. Cementite: Cementite is an iron-carbon compound with a specific

composition. It is a hard, brittle phase that forms when the carbon content of
the steel exceeds the solubility limit of carbon in ferrite. In high carbon steel,
cementite can be present as small, dispersed particles within the ferrite matrix.
b. Pearlite: Pearlite is a lamellar structure composed of alternating layers of
ferrite and cementite. It forms when austenite (a high-temperature phase)
transforms during slow cooling. The layers of ferrite and cementite in pearlite
are very fine and can provide a balance between hardness and toughness in the
steel.

Fig 1: Scheme of Fe-Fe3C phase diagram

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Experimental Apparatus:
1. Medium Carbon Steel
2. Emery papers (Grade-120, Grade-220, Grade-400, Grade-500, Grade-800, Grade-
1000, Grade-1200 and Grade-1500)
3. Polishing machine
4. Watch glass
5. Optical microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
6. Chemical solution:
a. Al2O3 powder for polishing
b. Acetone
c. Etching reagents: Nital solution (2%HNO3 + 98% C2H5OH)

Experimental procedure:

1. Sectioning:
An already sectioned testing medium carbon steel specimen had been collected from the
laboratory.

2.Grinding:
a. The sectioned specimen was first cleaned, and emery paper was used to begin the
grinding process.
b. The specimen was forcefully gripped and rubbed on Grade-120 emery paper in a
certain direction.
c. The specimen was rotated 90 degrees from its previous direction above while
switching from Grade-120 to Grade-220 emery paper.
d. This method was continued with Grade-400, Grade-600, Grade-800, Grade-1000,
Grade-
1200 and Grade-1500 emery paper until a flat, smooth surface was found.

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 Fig 1: Before grinding Fig 2: After grinding

3.Polishing:

a. After grinding, the specimen was cleaned with distilled water and dried properly.
b. Al2O3 powder was applied on the belt of the wheel and the motor was started at about
354 rpm.
c. The specimen was placed on the rotating wheel perpendicular to the previous
alignment.
d. The unnecessary scratch was removed and finally a mirror like flat smooth surface was
found.
e. Then the specimen was cleaned with water and made ready for etching.

Fig 3: After polishing

4.Etching:
a. 2% Nital solution was prepared for etching by mixing 2%HNO3 and 98% C2H5OH.
b. The specimen was kept inside the solution for 1-2 sec approximately while dipping it
for 2-3 times.
c. It was cleaned instantly after removing from the etching reagent.
d. To remove extra water acetone was used and the specimen was dried.

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 Fig 4: Sample after etching

Microscopic Visualization:

Cementite

Pearlite

Fig 5: Microstructure at 20X zoom [Cementite – white region, pearlite - black region]

Cementite

Pearlite

Fig 6: Microstructure visualization at 40X

Results and Discussion:

In this experiment, upon careful microstructural analysis, it was observed that the pearlite
and cementite region in the samples exhibited almost an excellent presence compared to
conventional microstructures of medium steel.

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 i. The microstructure of high carbon steel is primarily characterized by the presence
of cementite and pearlite phases.
ii. These phases form due to the eutectoid reaction during the cooling and
solidification of the steel,
iii. The grain is not finer as like high carbon steel which was unexpected. This can be
happened for several reasons in processing and manufacturing.
iv. Before microstructure analysis of high carbon steel, we had to etch the specimen
for two times. The reason was for first time after etching we could not see perfect
microstructures. Then after etching again, we became able to observe it under the
microscope.
v. As a result of over etching, the given 2% Nital solution may have react with the
grain boundaries for multiple times. So, the grains are not observed finer as
expected.
Conclusion:

In conclusion, from the experiment of microstructure of high carbon steel we can say that:
1. The microstructure of high carbon steel is influenced by its carbon content, which
typically ranges from 0.66% to 2%.
2. The grain boundaries of high carbon steel contain cementite and the black portion
are the pearlite in it. Cementite is brittle and it reduces the ductility of the sample.
3. Different combinations of these factors can lead to variations in the relative
proportions and distribution of ferrite, cementite, pearlite, and martensite in the
steel microstructure, resulting in different mechanical properties
4. The proeutectoid cementite restricts plastic deformation to the pearlite lamellae
and fracture occurs in the brittle grain boundary zone.
By understanding the microstructure and its implications, engineers and metallurgists can
optimize the material's performance and tailor it to meet specific needs, whether in cutting
tools, automotive components, or other industrial applications.
Reference:

[1] Porter, D. A., & Easterling, K. E. (2001). Phase Transformations in Metals and Alloys
(3rd ed.). CRC Press.
[2] Bhadeshia, H. K. D. H. (2011). Bainite in Steels (3rd ed.). CRC Press.
[3] Cahn, R. W., & Haasen, P. (1996). Physical Metallurgy (4th ed.). Elsevier.
[4] Callister, W. D., & Rethwisch, D. G. (2017). Materials Science and Engineering: An
Introduction (10th ed.). Wiley.