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U.S. Department of Energy
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THE PARTITIONING OF ALLOYING ELEMENTS IN MALLEABLE IRONS

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:4279296

The partitioning of a number of alloying elements between the cementite and austenite phases of irons during first-stage graphitization has been determined. For the most part, the data were obtained by chemical analyses of the cementite chemically extracted from irons quenched after selected periods at l650 F. Spot checks of these results and some explorations of alloy distribution in the matrix were made with the electron probe microanalyzer. The results show that the elements V, Cr, Mo, and Mn (not combined with S) concentrate in the cementite phase and may further enrich in this phase during graphitization. Small but measurable amounts of the elements Si, Cu, Ni, Co, and Al are also found in the cementite phase. Sulfur dissolves partially in the cementite phase but is removed insofar as MnS is formed. The finding of significant amounts of every alloying element investigated in the cementite phase suggests that the mechanism by which alloying elements influenee graphitization kinetics may involve a change in the thermodynamic stability of the cementite phase. (auth)

Research Organization:
Naval Research Lab., Washington, D.C.
NSA Number:
NSA-13-011181
OSTI ID:
4279296
Report Number(s):
NRL-5268
Country of Publication:
Country unknown/Code not available
Language:
English