Fe-C alloy classification

Metals

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Fe-C alloy classification
• The metal iron is a primary constituent of some of the most important ferrous
alloys-steels and cast irons.
• Ingot iron which is almost a pure iron having limited applications, is used fir
drainage culverts, refrigerator cabinats, washing machines, roofing and ducts,
stoves, etc. So, by adding alloying elements, especially carbon, its properties are
varied for various applications in engineering.
• Ignot iron has following typical mechanical properties:
(1) Tensile strength : 279 n/mm2
(2) Elongation in 2 in : 40%
(3) Rockwell B Hardness : 30

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Cooling curve for pure iron

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True Iron (Fe) Carbon (C)-Fe-C Diagram

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 The Iron-Iron Carbide Diagram

 A map of the temperature at which different phase changes occur on very slow
heating and cooling in relation to Carbon, is called Iron- Carbon Diagram.

 Iron- Carbon diagram shows

 the type of alloys formed under very slow cooling,

 proper heat-treatment temperature and

 how the properties of steels and cast irons can be radically changed by heat-

treatment.

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The Iron-Iron Carbide Diagram

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The Iron-Iron Carbide Diagram

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The Iron-Iron Carbide Diagram

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 Various Features of Fe-C diagram
Phases present
L
a ferrite
d BCC structure
BCC structure Ferromagnetic
Paramagnetic Fairly ductile
g austenite Fe3C
Reactions FCC structure cementite
Non-magnetic Orthorhomb
Peritectic L + d = g ductile ic
Hard
Eutectic L = g + Fe3C
brittle
Eutectoid g = a + Fe3C .
Max. solubility of C in ferrite=0.022%
Max. solubility of C in austenite=2.11%
Microstructure of Phases in Steel

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Three Phase Reactions
 Peritectic,
at 1490 deg.C, with low wt% C alloys (almost no
engineering importance).
 Eutectic, at 1130 deg.C, with 4.3wt% C, alloys called cast irons.
 Eutectoid,
at 723 deg.C with eutectoid composition of 0.8wt% C,
two-phase mixture (ferrite & cementite). They are steels.

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How to read the Fe-C phase diagram
Eutectic

eutectoid
Pearlite and
Cementine

Austenite

Ferrite
Pearlite and
Carbide
Pearlite

Steel Cast iron .

The Iron-Iron Carbide Diagram
The diagram shows three horizontal lines which
indicate isothermal reactions (on cooling / heating):
 First horizontal line is at 1490°C, where peritectic
reaction takes place:
Liquid + d ↔ austenite
 Second horizontal line is at 1130°C, where eutectic
reaction takes place:
liquid ↔ austenite + cementite
 Third horizontal line is at 723°C, where eutectoid
reaction takes place:
austenite ↔ pearlite (mixture of ferrite
& cementite)
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Delta region of Fe-Fe carbide diagram
Liquid + d ↔ austenite

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Ferrite region of Fe-Fe Carbide diagram

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Simplified Iron-Carbon phase diagram
austenite ↔ pearlite (mixture of ferrite & cementite)

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The Austenite to ferrite / cementite
transformation in relation to Fe-C diagram

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Phase Transformation in Eutectoid Steel

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Phase Transformation in Eutectoid Steel

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 Phase Transformation in Eutectoid Steel

In order to understand the transformation processes, consider a steel

of the eutectoid composition. 0.8% carbon, being slow cooled along
line x-x‘.
 Atthe upper temperatures, only austenite is present, with the 0.8%
carbon being dissolved in solid solution within the FCC. When the
steel cools through 723°C, several changes occur simultaneously.

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The Austenite to ferrite / cementite
transformation in relation to Fe-C diagram
 The iron wants to change crystal structure from the
FCC austenite to the BCC ferrite, but the ferrite can
only contain 0.02% carbon in solid solution.
 The excess carbon is rejected and forms the carbon-
rich intermetallic known as cementite.

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Pearlitic structure

 The net reaction at the eutectoid is the formation of

pearlitic structure.
 Since the chemical separation occurs entirely within
crystalline solids, the resultant structure is a fine
mixture of ferrite and cementite. .
Schematic picture of the formation and growth of
pearlite
Cementie

Ferrie

Austenie
bounday
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Nucleation & growth of pearlite

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Phase Transformation in Hypoeutectoid Steel

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Phase Transformation in Hypoeutectoid Steel

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The Austenite to ferrite / cementite
transformation in relation to Fe-C diagram
 Hypo-eutectoid steels : Steels having less than 0.8%
carbon are called hypo-eutectoid steels (hypo means
"less than").
 Consider the cooling of a typical hypo-eutectoid alloy
along line y-y‘.
 At high temperatures the material is entirely
austenite.
 Upon cooling it enters a region where the stable
phases are ferrite and austenite.
 The low-carbon ferrite nucleates and grows, leaving
the remaining austenite richer in carbon.
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The Austenite to ferrite / cementite
transformation in relation to Fe-C diagram
 Hypo-eutectoid steels- At 723°C, the
remaining austenite will have assumed the
eutectoid composition (0.8% carbon), and
further cooling transforms it to pearlite.

 The resulting structure, is a mixture of

primary or pro-eutectoid ferrite (ferrite that
forms before the eutectoid reaction) and
regions of pearlite.

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Phase Transformation in Hypereutectoid Steel

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Phase Transformation in Hypereutectoid Steel

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 The Austenite to ferrite / cementite
transformation in relation to Fe-C diagram

 Hyper-eutectoid steels (hyper means "greater than") are those that

contain more than the eutectoid amount of Carbon.
 When such a steel cools, as along line z-z' , the process is similar to
the hypo-eutectoid steel, except that the primary or pro-eutectoid
phase is now cementite instead of ferrite.

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The Austenite to ferrite / cementite transformation in
relation to Fe-C diagram
 As the carbon-rich phase nucleates and grows, the remaining austenite decreases
in carbon content, again reaching the eutectoid composition at 723°C.
 This austenite transforms to pearlite upon slow cooling through the eutectoid
temperature.
 The resulting structure consists of primary cementite and pearlite.
 The continuous network of primary cementite will cause the material to be
extremely brittle.

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The Austenite to ferrite / cementite
transformation in relation to Fe-C diagram

Hypo-eutectoid steel showing primary cementite along grain boundaries

pearlite .
 The Austenite to ferrite / cementite
transformation in relation to Fe-C diagram

 It should be noted that the transitions as discussed, are for

equilibrium conditions, as a result of slow cooling.

 Upon slow heating the transitions will occur in the reverse manner.

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The Austenite to ferrite / cementite
transformation in relation to Fe-C diagram
 When the alloys are cooled rapidly, entirely different results
are obtained, since sufficient time may not be provided for the
normal phase reactions to occur.
 In these cases, the equilibrium phase diagram is no longer a
valid tool for engineering analysis.
 Rapid-cool processes are important in the heat treatment of
steels and other metals (to be discussed later in H/T of steels).

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 IRON-C phase diagram
It Is a 3 phase reaction, A solid transform Into 2 It is a 3 phase reaction, A liquid transform Into 2
solid phases at the same time. solid phases at the same time.

3200 Liquid (L)

2600
Pearlite and C
ementine
2400

Austenite

Ferrite
Pearlite and
Carbide
Pearlite

Cast non
Tempera lii re (C)

Comp as it on (wt%
C)
J- .
_I_ 5a too
Composition fw(Vc Fe C}
Eutectoid steel

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From previous fig. of FE-C Diagram
Tempei attire i'C)

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hypoeutectoid steel
• Hypo-eutectoid steels: Steels having less than 0.8% carbon are
called hypo-eutectoid steels (hypo means "less than”).
• Consider the cooling of a typical hypo-eutectoid alloy along line
y-y.
• At high temperatures the material is entirely austenite.
• Upon cooling it enters a region where the stable phases are ferrite and
austenite.
• The low-carbon ferrite nucleates and grows, leaving the remaining
austenite richer in carbon.
• At 723°C, the remaining austenite will have assumed the eutectoid
composition (0.8% carbon), and further cooling transforms it to
pearlite.
• The resulting structure, is a mixture of primary or proeutectoid ferrite
(ferrite that forms before the eutectoid reaction) and regions of
pearlite.
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.
• Hyper-eutectoid steels (hyper means "greater than”) are those
that contain more than the eutectoid amount of Carbon.

• When such a steel cools, as along line z-z', the process is similar to
the hypo-eutectoid steel, except that the primary or pro-eutectoid
phase is now cementite instead of ferrite.

• As the carbon-rich phase nucleates and grows, the remaining

austenite decreases in carbon content, again reaching the eutectoid
composition at 723°C.

• This austenite transforms to pearlite upon slow cooling through the

eutectoid temperature.

• The resulting structure consists of primary cementite and pearlite.

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• The continuous network of primary cementite will cause the
material to be extremely brittle.
.
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Eutectic reaction:
• For a mixture with two components at a fixed pressure, the eutectic
reaction can only happen at a fixed chemical composition and
temperature called eutectic point.
• It describes the thermodynamic equilibrium conditions where a liquid
co exists with two solid phases.
• The microstructure of solid that results from the transformation consist
of alternate layers of α and β phases that from simultaneously during
the transformation.

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Eutectoid reaction:
It describes the phase changes reaction of
an alloy in which on cooling, a single
solid phase transforms into two other
solid phases.
Peritectic reaction:
It describes the isothermal reversible
reaction of a liquid phase and a solid
phase to form a second solid phase during
cooling.
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Micro-constituents of Iron-Carbon alloys

The study of these micro- constituents is essential in

order to understand iron-iron carbide (Fe-Fe3C)
equilibrium phase diagram
Various micro-constituents of iron-carbon alloys are:
1. Ferrite:
• Ferrite is a primary solid solution based on α
iron having BCC structure.
• It is nothing but the interstitial solution of carbon
in iron.
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• Max. solubility of carbon in iron is 0.025% carbon
at 723ºC.
• Ferrite is soft, ductile, and highly magnetic.
• It is used in cold working process.
2. Austenite or γ iron:
• Austenite is a primary solid solution based on γ
iron having FCC structure.
• Max. solubility of carbon in iron is 2% at 1140ºC.
• It is soft, tough, highly ductile and non-magnetic.
• High electrical resistance and highcoefficient of
expansion.

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3. Cementite:
• Cementite also called as carbide of iron (Fe3C)
• It is hard, brittle, intermetallic compound of iron
with 6.69% carbon
• The hardness and brittleness of cast iron is based
on the presence of cementite.
• It is magnetic below 250ºC
4. Pearlite:
• Eutectoid mixture of ferrite (87.5%) and cementite
(12.5%)
• It is formed when austenite decomposes during
cooling. It contains 0.8% of carbon
• It is strong, hard and ductile .
5. Ledeburite:
• Eutectic mixture of austenite and cementite
containing 4.3% carbon.
• It is forms at 1140ºC
• Pig iron, most important engineering materials are
ledeburite
6. Martensite:
• Super saturated solid solution of carbon in α iron.
• It is formed when steel is rapidly cooled from the
austentic state.
• It is very hard, more brittle and low ductility.
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7. Troostite:
• A mixture of radial lamellae of ferrite and
cementite
• It hardness is intermediate between martensite and
sorbite.
8. Sorbite:
• A mixture of ferrite and finely divided cementite.
• Tensile and yield strength are high.
9. Bainite:
• Eutectoid of ferrite and cementite.
• It harness is between the pearlite and martensite.

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Principal phases of steel and their
Characteristics

Crystal
Phase Characteristics
structure
Soft, ductile,
Ferrite BCC
magnetic
Soft, moderate
Austenite FCC strength, non-
magnetic
Compound of
Cementite Iron & Carbon Hard &brittle
Fe3C .
Eutectic reaction:
• For a mixture with two components at a fixed pressure, the eutectic
reaction can only happen at a fixed chemical composition and
temperature called eutectic point.
• It describes the thermodynamic equilibrium conditions where a liquid
co exists with two solid phases.
• The microstructure of solid that results from the transformation consist
of alternate layers of α and β phases that from simultaneously during
the transformation.

.
Eutectoid reaction:
It describes the phase changes reaction of
an alloy in which on cooling, a single
solid phase transforms into two other
solid phases.
Peritectic reaction:
It describes the isothermal reversible
reaction of a liquid phase and a solid
phase to form a second solid phase during
cooling.
.
Micro-constituents of Iron-Carbon alloys

The study of these micro- constituents is essential in

order to understand iron-iron carbide (Fe-Fe3C)
equilibrium phase diagram
Various micro-constituents of iron-carbon alloys are:
1. Ferrite:
• Ferrite is a primary solid solution based on α
iron having BCC structure.
• It is nothing but the interstitial solution of carbon
in iron.
.
• Max. solubility of carbon in iron is 0.025% carbon
at 723ºC.
• Ferrite is soft, ductile, and highly magnetic.
• It is used in cold working process.
2. Austenite or γ iron:
• Austenite is a primary solid solution based on γ
iron having FCC structure.
• Max. solubility of carbon in iron is 2% at 1140ºC.
• It is soft, tough, highly ductile and non-magnetic.
• High electrical resistance and highcoefficient of
expansion.

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3. Cementite:
• Cementite also called as carbide of iron (Fe3C)
• It is hard, brittle, intermetallic compound of iron
with 6.69% carbon
• The hardness and brittleness of cast iron is based
on the presence of cementite.
• It is magnetic below 250ºC
4. Pearlite:
• Eutectoid mixture of ferrite (87.5%) and cementite
(12.5%)
• It is formed when austenite decomposes during
cooling. It contains 0.8% of carbon
• It is strong, hard and ductile .
5. Ledeburite:
• Eutectic mixture of austenite and cementite
containing 4.3% carbon.
• It is forms at 1140ºC
• Pig iron, most important engineering materials are
ledeburite
6. Martensite:
• Super saturated solid solution of carbon in α iron.
• It is formed when steel is rapidly cooled from the
austentic state.
• It is very hard, more brittle and low ductility.
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7. Troostite:
• A mixture of radial lamellae of ferrite and
cementite
• It hardness is intermediate between martensite and
sorbite.
8. Sorbite:
• A mixture of ferrite and finely divided cementite.
• Tensile and yield strength are high.
9. Bainite:
• Eutectoid of ferrite and cementite.
• It harness is between the pearlite and martensite.