TTT Phase Diagram

Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) Curves
TTT diagram is a plot of temperature versus the logarithm of time for a

steel alloy of definite composition.
 TTT diagram indicates a specific transformation starts and ends
and it also shows what percentage of transformation of austenite
at a particular temperature is achieved.
 The aims of TTT diagrams is determined type of structure for and
portion in the curve and to obtained on specific properties .
It is also called isothermal transformation diagram
Pearlite
 The eutectoid reaction is fundamental to the development of

microstructures in steel alloys.
(0.76 wt% C) ⇌ (0.022 wt% C) + Fe3C (6.70 wt% C)
-Pearlite is the microstructural product of this transformation.
-Above eutectoid temperature: only austenite exists
-Below eutectoid temperature: nucleation + growth
-The percentage of the transformation product is related to the holding

temperature and holding time.
-The thickness of the ferrite/cementite layers in pearlite depends on

the temperature. With decreasing temperature, the layers become
progressively thinner.
-At temperatures just below eutectoid  relatively thick –

layers  coarse pearlite.
-In the vicinity of 540C  relatively thin layers  fine pearlite
Martensite
-Martensite is formed when austenitized Fe-C alloys are rapidly

cooled (or quenched) to a relatively low temperature .
-Non-equilibrium single phase.

-Transformation of FCC to BCT (body-centered tetragonal).
-The martensite grains nucleate and grow at a very rapid rate .
(BCT)
(FCC) Austenite phase Martensite
(body-centered tetragonal)
The time-temperature transformation curves correspond to the start and

finish of transformations which extend into the range of temperatures
where austenite transforms to pearlite.
 Above 550 C, austenite transforms completely to pearlite.

 Below 550 C, both pearlite and bainite are formed.
 below 450 C, only bainite is formed.
From The below fig. :-
 The horizontal line C-D that runs between the two curves marks
the beginning and end of isothermal transformations.
 The dashed line curves that represents the time to transform half
the austenite to pearlite.
NOTES
 The thickness of the ferrite and cementite layers in

pearlite phase is ~ 8:1.
 The absolute layer thickness depends on the temperature
of the transformation.
 The higher the temperature, the thicker the layers.
The complete isothermal transformation diagram for an iron-carbon alloy
of eutectoid composition.
A: austenite , B: bainite , M: martensite , P: pearlite
TTT diagram gives
1- Nature and type of transformation .

2- Rate of transformation.
3- Stability of phases under isothermal transformation conditions.
4- Temperature or time required to start or finish transformation .
5- Qualitative information about size scale of product .
6- Hardness of transformed products.
Factors affecting TTT diagram
1- Composition of steel-
(a) carbon wt%,
(b) alloying element wt%
2- Grain size of austenite
3- Heterogeneity of austenite.
Mechanical Properties of Fe-C Systems

For example :- Fine Pearlite vs Martensite structures
Hardness: fine pearlite << martensite
Example (1) :-
Eutectoid steel cooled from austenite phase at 800 C ,then cooled as

(TTT diagram ) as below , find the final structure if cooling path as
following :
1- rapid cooling to (350 C) and hold to( 104 sec) , then rapid cooling to
room temperature .
2- rapid cooling to (650 C) and hold to( 20 sec) , then, rapid cooling to
)400 C) and hold at (103 sec ) , then cooled to)room temperature .
ANS.:- From TTT diagrams below
1- Austenite transform to 100% bainite .
2- Austenite transform to 50% bainite and 50% perlite .
Example (2)
Using the isothermal transformation diagram for an iron-carbon alloy of

eutectoid composition, specify the nature of the final microstructure of a
small specimen that has been subjected to the following time-temperature
treatments.
The specimen begins at 760°C and that it has been held at this
temperature long enough to have achieved a complete and homogeneous
austenitic structure.
(a) Rapidly cool to 250°C, hold for 100s, and quench to room
temperature
(b) Rapidly cool to 600°C, hold for 104 s, and quench to room
temperature
Ans :-
1- At 760°C: in the austenite region (g) — 100% austenite
2-Rapidly cool from 760°C to 250°C: 100% austenite
3-Hold for 100 seconds at 250°C: 100% austenite
4-Quench to room temp.: 100% martensite
B/
1-At 760°C: in the austenite region — 100% austenite
2-Rapidly cool from 760°C to 600°C: 100% austenite
3-Hold for 104 s at 250°C: 100% pearlite
4-Quench to room temp.: 100% pearlite

Example 3 :- ( home work )
Samples of Eutectoid steel heated to austenite phase at (850 C) for

( 1 hr.) ,then cooling as the (TTT diagram ) as below .
find the final structure for each sample .
1- rapid cooling to room temperature .
2- rapid cooling to (690 C) and hold to( 2 hr.) , then, rapid cooling to
room temperature .
3- rapid cooling to (610 C) and hold to( 3 min.) , then, rapid cooling to
room temperature .
4- rapid cooling to (580 C) and hold to( 2 sec ) , then, rapid cooling to
room temperature .
5- rapid cooling to (450 C) and hold to( 1 hr.) , then, rapid cooling to
room temperature .
6- rapid cooling to (300 C) and hold to( 7 min.) , then, rapid cooling to
room temperature .
rapid cooling to (300 C) and hold to( 5 hr.) , then, rapid cooling to -7
room temperature .

TTT Phase Diagram

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Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) Curves

TTT diagram is a plot of temperature versus the logarithm of time for a

 The eutectoid reaction is fundamental to the development of

(0.76 wt% C) ⇌ (0.022 wt% C) + Fe3C (6.70 wt% C)

-Pearlite is the microstructural product of this transformation.

-Above eutectoid temperature: only austenite exists

-Below eutectoid temperature: nucleation + growth

-The percentage of the transformation product is related to the holding

-The thickness of the ferrite/cementite layers in pearlite depends on

-At temperatures just below eutectoid  relatively thick –

-In the vicinity of 540C  relatively thin layers  fine pearlite

-Martensite is formed when austenitized Fe-C alloys are rapidly

-Non-equilibrium single phase.

-The martensite grains nucleate and grow at a very rapid rate .

(FCC) Austenite phase Martensite

The time-temperature transformation curves correspond to the start and

 Above 550 C, austenite transforms completely to pearlite.

From The below fig. :-

 The thickness of the ferrite and cementite layers in

A: austenite , B: bainite , M: martensite , P: pearlite

TTT diagram gives

1- Nature and type of transformation .

Mechanical Properties of Fe-C Systems

Hardness: fine pearlite << martensite

Eutectoid steel cooled from austenite phase at 800 C ,then cooled as

1- Austenite transform to 100% bainite .

2- Austenite transform to 50% bainite and 50% perlite .

Using the isothermal transformation diagram for an iron-carbon alloy of

1- At 760°C: in the austenite region (g) — 100% austenite

2-Rapidly cool from 760°C to 250°C: 100% austenite

3-Hold for 100 seconds at 250°C: 100% austenite

4-Quench to room temp.: 100% martensite

1-At 760°C: in the austenite region — 100% austenite

2-Rapidly cool from 760°C to 600°C: 100% austenite

3-Hold for 104 s at 250°C: 100% pearlite

4-Quench to room temp.: 100% pearlite

Samples of Eutectoid steel heated to austenite phase at (850 C) for

find the final structure for each sample .

1- rapid cooling to room temperature .

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