skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Variation of carbon concentration in proeutectoid ferrite during austenitization in hypoeutectoid steel

Journal Article · · Materials Characterization

The variation of the C concentration in proeutectoid ferrite (α{sub PF}) during austenitization in hypoeutectoid steels was quantitatively investigated using the massive transformation start temperature (T{sub m}) of α{sub PF} to austenite (γ) measured by high-temperature confocal laser scanning microscopy and hardness of α{sub PF}. The C concentration in α{sub PF} at T{sub m} in hypoeutectoid steels increased with increasing total C concentration up to approximately 0.2 wt.% during heating. The hardness of α{sub PF} with isothermal holding time at 775 °C in S20C steel revealed C enrichment in α{sub PF} at the early stage of isothermal holding and its reduction with further holding. These results explain the redistribution of the C in α{sub PF} during austenitization as follows: free C atoms released from cementite during pearlite decomposition diffuse excessively into neighboring α{sub PF} as well as pearlitic ferrite. The supersaturated C concentration in α{sub PF} is reduced during the long-range diffusive transformation of α{sub PF} to γ. However, some of the excess C atoms still remain in α{sub PF} until α{sub PF} starts to massively transform to γ. - Highlights: • Massive transformation of αPF to γ in hypoeutectoid steels was observed using CLSM. • C content in αPF during austenitization was analyzed by measured Tm and hardness. • Tm decreases and C content in αPF at Tm increases with increasing total C. • C atoms released from θ during formation of P to γ diffuse excessively into αPF. • Supersaturated C content in αPF is reduced during transformation of αPF to γ.

OSTI ID:
22403528
Journal Information:
Materials Characterization, Vol. 94; Other Information: Copyright (c) 2014 Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, All rights reserved.; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 1044-5803
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English