technotes.
qxp 1/21/2009 4:04 PM Page 1
Te c h
Notes
Allotropy
epending on pressure and
D
temperature, many metals
can exist in more than one
crystalline form, a
phenomenon known as
allotropy. For example, iron
undergoes a series of
allotropic transformations
during heating and cooling
as shown in the diagram.
Note that an allotropic
transformation is a solid
state phase transformation,
and as such, occurs at a
constant temperature
during either heating or
cooling.
Under equilibrium cooling
conditions, pure iron
solidifies from the molten
state at 1540C (2800F) and
forms what is called delta
iron ( Fe) , which has a
body-centered cubic (BCC)
structure.
Delta iron is then stable on
further cooling until it
reaches 1395C (2541F),
where it undergoes a
transformation to a
face-centered cubic (FCC)
structure called gamma iron
( Fe).
On still further cooling to
900C (1648F), it
undergoes yet another
phase transformation,
transforming from the FCC
structure back to the BCC
structure. This BCC struc-
ture is called alpha iron (Fe)
to distinguish it from the
higher-temperature delta
iron.
This last transformation,
Fe > Fe, is extremely
important, as it forms the
basis for the hardening of
steel. Note that the
Fe > Fe transformation
occurs at 900C (1648F) on
cooling, somewhat lower
ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES/FEBRUARY 2009
HEATING CYCLE COOLING CYCLE
Liquid
A5 = 1540C ( 2800F)
-F
Fe BCC
Ac4 = 1395C (1941F) Ar4 = 1395C (1941F)
Temperature, C
-F
Fe FCC
Ac3 = 910C (1673F)
Ar3 = 000C (1648F)
Paramagnetic -F
Fe
Curie Point
BCC
Ac2 = 770C (1416F) Ar2 = 770C (1416F)
Ferromagnetic -F
Fe
Time
than the 910C (1673F) example, titanium,
transformation temperature zirconium, and hafnium all
on heating. exhibit a transition from a
hexagonal close-packed
This temperature differential (HCP) structure to BCC on
is known as the temperature heating. Note that in each
hysteresis of allotropic case, a close-packed
phase transformation, and structure is stable at room
its magnitude increases temperature while a looser
with faster cooling rates. packing is stable at
The temperatures elevated temperatures.
(designated A) associated Although this is not always
with heating contain the the case, it is typical of
subscript c, which is French many metals.
for chauffage, meaning
heating. Cooling tempera- This information is from
tures have the subscript r Elements of Metallurgy and
for the French refroidisse- Engineering Alloys, a new
ment, meaning re-cooling. book by F.C. Campbell. Visit
www.asminternational.org
Many other metals, as well and click on Materials
as some nonmetals, also Information to read a
exhibit allotropic sample chapter and view
transformations. For the table of contents.
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