Quick Review 1

Liquidus line separates liquid from liquid + solid

Solidus line separates solid from liquid + solid
Solvus line separates one solid solution from two solid phases
Eutectic reaction is a reaction wherein, upon cooling, the liquid phase transforms into two solid phases.
 2

Eutectic, Eutectoid, & Peritectic

• Eutectic - liquid transforms to two solid phases
L cool α+β (For Pb-Sn, 183°C, 61.9 wt% Sn)
heat

• Eutectoid – one solid phase transforms to two other

solid phases
intermetallic compound
S2 S1+S3 - cementite
cool
γ heat
α + Fe3C (For Fe-C, 727°C, 0.76 wt% C)
• Peritectic - liquid and one solid phase transform to a
second solid phase
S1 + L S2
cool
δ +L heat γ (For Fe-C, 1493°C, 0.16 wt% C)
 3

Eutectoid & Peritectic

Peritectic transformation γ + L δ
Cu-Zn Phase diagram

Fig. 9.21, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.

[Adapted from Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams,
Eutectoid transformation δ γ+e 2nd edition, Vol. 2, T. B. Massalski (Editor-in-
Chief), 1990. Reprinted by permission of
ASM International, Materials Park, OH.]
The Iron–Carbon System (THE IRON–IRON CARBIDE (Fe – Fe3C) PHASE DIAGRAM 4)
In practice, all steels and cast irons have carbon contents less than 6.70 wt% C; therefore, we consider only the iron–iron carbide
system. The figure below would be more appropriately labeled the Fe–Fe 3C phase diagram, because Fe3C is now considered to be a
component. Convention and convenience dictate that composition still be expressed in “wt% C” rather than “wt% Fe 3C”; 6.70 wt%
C corresponds to 100 wt% Fe3C.
Phase Crystal Properties
Structure

Ferrite BCC Soft,

ductile,
magnetic

Austenite FCC Soft,

BCC moderate
structure strength,
non-
Magnetic magnetic

Cementite orthorhombic Hard, brittle

FCC structure
Non-Magnetic

Why the solubility

of Austenite is
much higher than
Ferrite?
BCC structure
Magnetic
The Iron–Carbon System (THE IRON–IRON CARBIDE (Fe – Fe3C) PHASE DIAGRAM 5)
• Carbon is an interstitial impurity in iron. This solubility of carbon in Austenite is
approximately 100 times greater than the maximum for BCC ferrite, because the FCC
interstitial positions are larger.

• Ferrous alloys are those in which iron is the prime component, but carbon as well
as other alloying elements may be present. In the classification scheme of ferrous
alloys based on carbon content, there are three types: iron, steel, and cast iron.
• Commercially pure iron contains less than 0.008 wt% C and, from the phase
diagram, is composed almost exclusively of the ferrite phase at room temperature.
• The iron–carbon alloys that contain between 0.008 and 2.14 wt% C are classified as
steels.
• Cast irons are classified as ferrous alloys that contain between 2.14 and 6.70 wt%
C. However, commercial cast irons normally contain less than 4.5 wt% C.
 6

Iron-Carbon (Fe-C) Phase Diagram

• 2 important T(°C)
1600
points δ
- Eutectic (A): 1400 L
L Þ γ + Fe3C γ +L
γ A
- Eutectoid (B): 1200
(austenite)
1148°C L+Fe3C

Fe3C (cementite)
γ Þ α + Fe3C
1000 γ γ γ+Fe3C
α+ γ γ
800
α B 727°C = Teutectoid
γ

600
α +Fe3C
400
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
120 μm (Fe) 0.76 4.30 C, wt% C
Result: Pearlite = alternating
layers of α and Fe3C phases Fe3C (cementite-hard)
Fig. 9.27, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
Fig. 9.24, Callister
& Rethwisch 9e.
α (ferrite-soft)
(From Metals Handbook, Vol. 9, 9th ed., [Adapted from Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams, 2nd edition,
Metallography and Microstructures, 1985. Vol. 1, T. B. Massalski (Editor-in-Chief), 1990. Reprinted
Reproduced by permission of ASM by permission of ASM International, Materials Park, OH.]
International, Materials Park, OH.)
 7

Hypoeutectoid Steel
T(°C)
1600
δ
1400 L
γ γ (Fe-C
γ γ+L
γ γ 1200 1148°C L+Fe3C System)

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite)
γ γ 1000
γ γ γ + Fe3C Adapted from Figs. 9.24
and 9.29, Callister &
α Rethwisch 9e.
γ γ 800 727°C [Figure 9.24 adapted from
α
γ αγ a
Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams,
2nd edition, Vol. 1, T. B.
600 Massalski (Editor-in-Chief),
α + Fe3C 1990. Reprinted by permission
of ASM International, Materials
Park, OH.]
400
α 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
(Fe)C C, wt% C
0.76

pearlite

100 μm Hypoeutectoid
steel

pearlite proeutectoid ferrite

Adapted from Fig. 9.30, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
(Photomicrograph courtesy of Republic Steel Corporation.)
 8

Hypoeutectoid Steel
T(°C)
1600
δ
1400 L
(Fe-C
γ γ+L
α 1200 L+Fe3C System)
αγ γ 1148°C

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite)
γαγ
1000
γ + Fe3C Adapted from Figs. 9.24
and 9.29, Callister &
Wα = s/(r + s) Rethwisch 9e.
800 r s 727°C [Figure 9.24 adapted from
Wγ =(1 - Wα) Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams,
αRS 2nd edition, Vol. 1, T. B.
Massalski (Editor-in-Chief),
α 600
α + Fe3C 1990. Reprinted by permission
of ASM International, Materials
pearlite Park, OH.]
400
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
(Fe)C C, wt% C
0.76

Wpearlite = Wγ
Wα’ = S/(R + S) 100 μm
Hypoeutectoid
steel
WFe3C =(1 – Wα’)
pearlite proeutectoid ferrite
Adapted from Fig. 9.30, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
(Photomicrograph courtesy of Republic Steel Corporation.)
 9

Hypereutectoid Steel
T(°C)
1600
δ
1400 L
(Fe-C
γ γ γ γ+L
1200 1148°C L+Fe3C System)
γ γ

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite)
γ γ 1000
γ γ γ + Fe3C Adapted from Figs. 9.24
and 9.32, Callister &
Fe3C Rethwisch 9e.
γ γ 800 727°C [Figure 9.24 adapted from
Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams,
γ γ α 2nd edition, Vol. 1, T. B.
Massalski (Editor-in-Chief),
600
α + Fe3C 1990. Reprinted by permission
of ASM International, Materials
Park, OH.]
400
0 1 C0 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
0.76

(Fe)C0 C, wt% C
pearlite

60 μmHypereutectoid
steel
pearlite proeutectoid Fe3C
Adapted from Fig. 9.33, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
(Copyright 1971 by United States Steel Corporation.)
 10

Hypereutectoid Steel
T(°C)
1600
δ
1400 L
(Fe-C
Fe3C γ γ+L
1200 1148°C L+Fe3C System)
γ γ

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite)
γ γ 1000
γ + Fe3C Adapted from Figs. 9.24
and 9.32, Callister &
Wγ =x/(v + x) Rethwisch 9e.
800 v x 727°C [Figure 9.24 adapted from
WFe3C =(1-Wγ) Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams,
α V X 2nd edition, Vol. 1, T. B.
Massalski (Editor-in-Chief),
600
α + Fe3C 1990. Reprinted by permission
pearlite of ASM International, Materials
Park, OH.]
400
0 1 C0 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
0.76

(Fe)C
0 C, wt% C
Wpearlite = Wγ
Wα = X/(V + X)
60 μmHypereutectoid
WFe C’ =(1 - Wα) steel
3
pearlite proeutectoid Fe3C
Adapted from Fig. 9.33, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
(Copyright 1971 by United States Steel Corporation.)
Example 11

Example Problem 1
At 0.76 wt% C, at 727oC of Fe – Fe3C phase diagram,
(a)What phase(s) is (are) present?
(b)What is (are) the composition(s) of the phase(s)?
(c)Calculate the amounts of -ferrite and cementite phases?
 12

Example Problem
For a 99.6 wt% Fe-0.40 wt% C steel at a temperature
just below the eutectoid, determine the following:
a) The compositions of Fe3C and ferrite (α).
b) The amount of cementite (in grams) that forms in
100 g of steel.
c) The amounts of pearlite and proeutectoid ferrite (α)
in the 100 g.
 13

Solution to Example Problem

a) Using the RS tie line just below the eutectoid

Fig. 9.24, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.

[From Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams, 2nd edition, Vol. 1, T. B.
Massalski (Editor-in-Chief), 1990. Reprinted by permission of
ASM International, Materials Park, OH.]

b) Using the lever rule with 1600

the tie line shown δ
1400 L
T(°C) γ+L
γ

Fe C (cementite)
1200 1148°C L+Fe3C
(austenite)
1000
γ + Fe3C
800 727°C
R S
600 α + Fe3C
400
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
Cα C0 C , wt% C CFe
3C
 14

Solution to Example Problem (cont.)

c) Using the VX tie line just above the eutectoid and
realizing that
Fig. 9.24, Callister & Rethwisch 9e.
[From Binary Alloy Phase Diagrams, 2nd edition, Vol. 1, T. B.
Massalski (Editor-in-Chief), 1990. Reprinted by permission of
ASM International, Materials Park, OH.]

1600
δ
1400 L
T(°C) γ+L
γ

Fe C (cementite)
1200 1148°C L+Fe3C
(austenite)
1000
γ + Fe3C
800 727°°C
VX
600 α + Fe3C
400
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
Cα C Cγ C , wt% C
0
 15

Summary

• Phase diagrams are useful tools to determine:

-- the number and types of phases present,
-- the composition of each phase,
-- and the weight fraction of each phase
given the temperature and composition of the system.
• The microstructure of an alloy depends on
-- its composition, and
-- whether or not cooling rate allows for maintenance of
equilibrium.
• Important phase diagram phase transformations include
eutectic, eutectoid, and peritectic.
 16

Problems
Q. 1
Compute the mass fractions of α ferrite and cementite in
pearlite.

Q. 2
(a) What is the distinction between hypoeutectoid and
hypereutectoid steels?
(b) In a hypoeutectoid steel, both eutectoid and
proeutectoid ferrite exist. Explain the difference between
them. What will be the carbon concentration in each?
 17

Problems
Q. 3
What is the carbon concentration of an iron–carbon alloy
for which the fraction of total ferrite is 0.94?
Q. 4
What is the proeutectoid phase for an iron–carbon alloy in
which the mass fractions of total ferrite and total cementite
are 0.92 and 0.08, respectively? Why?
Q. 5
The mass fractions of total ferrite and total cementite in an
iron-carbon alloy are 0.88 and 0.12, respectively. Is this a
hypoeutectoid or hypereutectoid alloy? Why?
 18

Problems
Q. 6
Consider 2.0 kg of a 99.6 wt% Fe–0.4 wt% C alloy that is
cooled to a temperature just below the eutectoid.
(a) How many kilograms of proeutectoid ferrite form?
(b) How many kilograms of eutectoid ferrite form?
(c) How many kilograms of cementite form?
Q. 7
Is it possible to have an iron-carbon alloy for which the
mass fractions of total cementite and pearlite are 0.039 and
0.417, respectively? Why or why not?
Q. 8
Why the solubility of Austenite is much higher than Ferrite?
19