MATERIAL SCIENCE & METALLURGY

CHAPTER 04

IRON CARBON SYSTEMS

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 IRON CARBON SYSTEMS

Steels and cast irons are among the most extensively used range of
engineering materials in the world today.

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 Allotropic forms of pure iron
• Iron is an allotropic metal i.e. it can exist in more
than one type of the lattice structure depending
upon temperature.
• A study of cooling curve of pure iron shows that it
can exist in more than one allotropic form.
• Example: allotropic forms of Fe are α, γ , δ.

• The temperature at which the allotropic changes

take place in iron is influenced by alloying
elements, the most important of which is carbon
 Cooling curve for pure iron
Liquid
1538
δ Fe (BCC)
Non-Magnetic
1340

γ Fe (FCC)
Non-Magnetic
Temperature, oC

910 α Fe (BCC)

768 Non-Magnetic

α Fe (BCC)
Magnetic

Time
Fig 5.1 Cooling curve for pure iron
•All the allotropic changes give off heat
(exothermic) when iron is cooled and absorb heat
(endothermic) when iron is heated.
THE IRON–IRON CARBIDE (Fe–Fe3C) PHASE DIAGRAM
Iron – Iron carbide phase diagram
Fe-C binary system
 The Delta Region
The first horizontal line MB at 1495oC indicates the Peritectic reaction. This region is called as
the delta region because of the solid solution δ. The point P is known as the peritectic point at
1495oC & 0.18%C.
 (b) The Eutectic Region

L+γ
L + Fe3C
1148oC E
γ 2%C D
C 4.33C

γ +Fe3C
Fe-C binary
system:
Eutectic Zone
 (c) The Eutectoid Reaction

912oC
γ
γ+Fe3C
γ+α
J 724oC K
H
α
0.8% C

α+Fe3C

The Eutectoid Region

Fe-C binary system: Eutectoid Zone
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 Definition of structures
Leduburite:-
❖ It is the eutectic mixture of austenite and
cementite.
❖ It contains 4.3 % C and formed at 11300C
❖ It has got layered structure.
❖ It is brittle cannot be forged or rolled.
❖ It is found in cast iron region.
❖ It posses good lubricating property.
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Lever Rule
Lever Rule
 Lever Rule

Pearlite
Different microstructures