Chapter 9: Phase Diagrams

Why Study Phase Diagram?

Because there is a strong correlation between
microstructures and mechanical properties and the
development of microstructures of an alloy is related to
the characteristic of its phase diagram
Provide valuable information about melting, casting,
crystallization and other phenomena

Chapter 9 - 1

Definitions
Components:
Pure metal and or compound of which alloy is composed
(e.g. Cu and Zn)
System :
a specific body of material under consideration or a series of
alloys consisting of the same component ( e.g. iron-carbon
system)
Solvent :
represent the element or compound that is present in the
greatest amount
Solute :
an element or compound present in a minor concentration

Phase:
a homogeneous portion of a system that is uniform
physical and chemical characteristics
Chapter 9 - 2

Solubility Limit
Solution solid, liquid, or gas solutions, single phase
Mixture more than one phase
Adapted from Fig. 9.1,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
Solubility Limit:

80
60

40

(liquid solution
i.e., syrup)

20

Answer: 65 wt% sugar.

At 20C, if C < 65 wt% sugar: syrup
At 20C, if C > 65 wt% sugar:
syrup + sugar

Solubility
Limit

L
(liquid)

+
S
(solid
sugar)

20
40
6065 80
100
C = Composition (wt% sugar)

Sugar

solubility limit for sugar in

water at 20C?

100

Water

Question: What is the

Sugar/Water Phase Diagram

Temperature (C)

Maximum concentration of
solute atoms that may dissolve
in the solvent to form a solid
solution
Solubility limit depend on temp.

Chapter 9 - 3

Effect of Temperature & Composition

Altering T can change # of phases: path A to B.
Altering C can change # of phases: path B to D.
B (100C,C = 70) D (100C,C = 90)
1 phase

watersugar
system

Adapted from Fig. 9.1,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Temperature (C)

100

80

(liquid)

60

L
(liquid solution

40

i.e., syrup)

+
S
(solid
sugar)

A (20C,C = 70)

20
0

2 phases

2 phases

20
40
60 70 80
100
C = Composition (wt% sugar)
Chapter 9 - 4

Phases
Phase:
A homogeneous portion of a system that is uniform
physical and chemical characteristics
Every pure material is considered to be a phase
If more than one phase is present in a system each
will have its own distinct properties and a boundary
separating the phases will exist .
Eg. sugar water solution
When two separate phases exists they are physically
dissimilar but identical in chemical make up
e. Ice water : solid liquid
Single phase is termed homogeneous
Two or more phase : heterogeneous
Chapter 9 - 5

Microstructure
Physical properties in particular mechanical
behaviour of material depend on
microstructure.
In metal alloy microstructure is characterized
by the number of phases present, their
proportion and the manner in which they are
distributed or arrange
The microstructure of an alloy depends on
alloying elements present, their concentrations
and their heat treatment of the alloy
Chapter 9 - 6

Phase Equilibria
Free energy is a function of the internal energy of a system
and the readomness of disorder of the atoms
A system is at equilibrium if its free energy is at a minimum
under some specified combination of temperature, pressure
and composition
Phase equilibrium: equilibrium as it applies to system in
which more than one phase may exists
In some solid system the state of equilibrium is never
completely achieves because the rete ofapproach to
equilibrium is extremely slow; such system is nonequilibrium
or metastable
Some steel and aluminium alloys rely for their strength on
the development of metastable microstructures during
carefully designed heat treatment
Chapter 9 - 7

One-component (unary) Phase

Diagram
Phase diagram equilibrium diagram
3 external parameter that will affect phase diagram
temp, pressure and composition
If composition is constant, plot pressure and
temperature Unary phase diagram (P-T diagram)
Fig 9.2

Chapter 9 - 8

Binary Phase Diagrams

Variable parameter temp and composition but pressure is
constant (101.3kPa)
Only concern with binary alloy contain two components
Binary phase diagrams are maps that represent the
relationship between temperature and the composition and
quantities of phases at equilibrium which influence the
microstructure of an alloy
Many microstructures develop from phase transformation,
the changes that occur when temperature is altered
(ordinarily upon cooling). This may involve transition from
one phase to another or appearance or disappearance of a
phase
Binary phase diagram are helpful in predicting phase
transformation and resulting microstructure which may have
equilibrium or nonequilibrium character.

Chapter 9 - 9

Isomorphous Binary Phase Diagram

Phase diagram:
Cu-Ni system.

System is:
-- binary
i.e., 2 components:
Cu and Ni.

-- isomorphous
i.e., complete
solubility of one
component in
another; phase
field extends from
0 to 100 wt% Ni.
Solid solutions are
commonly designated
by lower case Greek
letters (, ,

T(C)
1600
1500

L (liquid)

1400

us
d
i

u
liq
L +lidus
so

1300

(FCC solid
solution)

1200
1100
1000

Cu-Ni
phase
diagram

20

40

60

80

100

Adapted from Fig. 9.3(a), Callister &

Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.3(a) is adapted from
Phase Diagrams of Binary Nickel Alloys,
P. Nash (Ed.), ASM International,
Materials Park, OH (1991).

wt% Ni

Chapter 9 - 10

Phase Diagrams:
Determination of phase(s) present
Rule 1: If we know T and Co, then we know:
-- which phase(s) is (are) present.

A(1100C, 60 wt% Ni):

1 phase:

1600

L (liquid)
1500

B (1250C,35)

Examples:

T(C)

B(1250C, 35 wt% Ni): 1400

2 phases: L +
Melting temp of pure Cu
is1085oC and Ni is
1453oC

1300

L+

1200

1000

Cu-Ni
phase
diagram

(FCC solid
solution)
A(1100C,60)

1100
Adapted from Fig. 9.3(a), Callister &
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.3(a) is adapted from
Phase Diagrams of Binary Nickel Alloys,
P. Nash (Ed.), ASM International,
Materials Park, OH (1991).

us
d
i
u
liq
us
d
i
l
so

20

40

60

80

100

wt% Ni

Chapter 9 - 11

Phase Diagrams:
Determination of phase compositions
Rule 2: If we know T and C0, then we can determine:
-- the composition of each phase.

Examples:

T(C)
TA

Cu-Ni
system
A

tie line dus

Consider C0 = 35 wt% Ni
qu i
i
l
1300 L (liquid)
At TA = 1320C:

+
L s
Only Liquid (L) present
B
lidu
o
T
s
B
CL = C0 ( = 35 wt% Ni)

=
1190C:
At TD
L+
(solid)
1200
D
Only Solid () present
TD
C = C0 ( = 35 wt% Ni)
20
3032 35 4043
50
CL C 0
At TB = 1250C:
C wt% Ni
Adapted from Fig. 9.3(a), Callister &
Both and L present

Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.3(a) is adapted from

Phase Diagrams of Binary Nickel Alloys, P.
CL = C liquidus ( = 32 wt% Ni)
Nash (Ed.), ASM International, Materials
Park, OH (1991).
C = C solidus ( = 43 wt% Ni)
Chapter 9 - 12

Phase Diagrams:
Determination of phase weight fractions
Rule 3: If we know T and C0, then can determine:
-- the weight fraction of each phase.

Examples:
Consider C0 = 35 wt% Ni

At TA : Only Liquid (L) present

At TD :
At TB :

WL
W

WL = 1.00, W = 0
Only Solid ( ) present

WL = 0, W = 1.00

Both and L present

S
R +S

43 35
0.73
43 32

R
= 0.27
R +S

Cu-Ni
system

T(C)
TA
1300

A
L (liquid)

TB
1200

TD

20

tie line dus

i
liqu

B
R S
D

3032 35

CL C0

+
L

us
d
i
l
so

(solid)

40 43

50

C wt% Ni

Adapted from Fig. 9.3(a), Callister &

Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.3(a) is adapted from
Phase Diagrams of Binary Nickel Alloys, P.
Nash (Ed.), ASM International, Materials
Park, OH (1991).
Chapter 9 - 13

The Lever Rule

Tie line connects the phases in equilibrium with
each other also sometimes called an isotherm
T(C)
1300

tie line dus

i
liqu

L (liquid)
B

TB
1200
20

+
L

us
d
i
l
so

+
R
30

CL C0

S
40

wt% Ni

WL

What fraction of each phase?

Think of the tie line as a lever
(teeter-totter)

(solid)
C

50

Adapted from Fig. 9.3(b),

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

C C0
ML
S

ML M R S C CL

ML

M x S ML x R
W

C CL
R
0
R S C CL
Chapter 9 - 14

Development of Microstructure in Isomorphous

Alloys, Eg: Cooling of a Cu-Ni Alloy
Phase diagram:
Cu-Ni system.

Consider
microstructural
changes that
accompany the
cooling of a

T(C) L (liquid)
130 0
L: 35 wt% Ni
: 46 wt% Ni

C0 = 35 wt% Ni alloy

L: 35wt%Ni

A
32

35

B
C

46
43

24
120 0

L+

Cu-Ni
system

L+

L: 32 wt% Ni

36

: 43 wt% Ni

L: 24 wt% Ni
: 36 wt% Ni

(solid)
110 0
20

30

Adapted from Fig. 9.4,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

35
C0

40

50

wt% Ni
Chapter 9 - 15

Nonequilibrium Cooling
Equilibrium solidification is extremely slow cooling rate
To maintain equilibrium during cooling, sufficient time
must be allowed to each temp for appropriate
compositional readjustment.
Diffusion rate is extremely slow for solid phases and
decrease with diminishing temperature
Thus nonequilibrium solidification take place

Chapter 9 - 16

Cored vs Equilibrium Structures

C changes as we solidify.
Cu-Ni case: First to solidify has C = 46 wt% Ni.
Last to solidify has C = 35 wt% Ni.

Slow rate of cooling:

Equilibrium structure

Uniform C:
35 wt% Ni

Fast rate of cooling:

Cored structure (Cored
structure gives rise to less than
optimal properties)

First to solidify:
46 wt% Ni
Last to solidify:
< 35 wt% Ni

Chapter 9 - 17

Mechanical Properties: Cu-Ni System

Solid solution strengthening: an increase in strength and hardness by
additions of other component

-- Ductility (%EL)

400
TS for
pure Ni

300
TS for pure Cu

200
0 20 40 60 80 100
Cu
Ni

Composition, wt% Ni

Adapted from Fig. 9.6(a),

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Elongation (%EL)

Tensile Strength (MPa)

-- Tensile strength (TS)

60

%EL for pure Cu

%EL for
pure Ni

50
40
30
20
0 20
Cu

40

60

80 100
Ni

Composition, wt% Ni

Adapted from Fig. 9.6(b),

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 18

Binary-Eutectic Systems
has a special composition
with a min. melting T (easily melted).
Cu-Ag
T(C)
system

2 components

Ex.: Cu-Ag system

1200

3 single phase regions

L (liquid)
1000
(L, , )
L + 779C
Limited solubility:
TE 800 8.0
: mostly Cu
: mostly Ag
600
TE : No liquid below TE

400
CE : Composition at
temperature TE
200
Eutectic reaction

(CE) + (CE)

L(CE)
L(71.9 wt% Ag)

cooling
heating

20

40

L+

71.9 91.2

60 CE 80

100

C, wt% Ag

Adapted from Fig. 9.7,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

(8.0 wt% Ag) (91.2 wt% Ag)

Chapter 9 -

19

EX 1: Pb-Sn Eutectic System

For a 40 wt% Sn-60 wt% Pb alloy at 150C, determine:
-- the phases present
Answer: +
-- the phase compositions
Answer: C = 11 wt% Sn
C = 99 wt% Sn

-- the relative amount

of each phase

Answer:
C - C0
S
=
W =
C - C
R+S
99 - 40
99 - 11
W = R =
R+S

40 - 11
=
99 - 11
=

59
= 0.67
88
C0 - C
C - C

29
= 0.33
88

Pb-Sn
system

T(C)
300

200
150
100

L (liquid)

L+
18.3

183C

61.9

L+
97.8

S
+

0 11 20
C

40
C0

Adapted from Fig. 9.8,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

60

80

C, wt% Sn

99100
C

Chapter 9 - 20

EX 2: Pb-Sn Eutectic System

(Quiz)

For a 40 wt% Sn-60 wt% Pb alloy at 220C, determine:

-- the phases present:
Answer: + L
-- the phase compositions
Answer: C = 17 wt% Sn
CL = 46 wt% Sn

-- the relative amount

of each phase

Pb-Sn
system

T(C)
300
220
200

L (liquid)

L+
R

L+

S
183C

Answer:
C L - C0
46 - 40
=
W =
CL - C
46 - 17
6
=
= 0.21
29
C0 - C
23
=
= 0.79
WL =
CL - C
29

100

+
0

17 20
C

40 46 60
80
C0 CL C, wt% Sn

Adapted from Fig. 9.8,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 21

100

Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems I
For alloys for which
C0 < 2 wt% Sn
Result: at room temperature
-- polycrystalline with grains of
phase having
composition C0

T(C)
400

L: C0 wt% Sn
L

300

200

(Pb-Sn
System)

: C0 wt% Sn

TE
100

Adapted from Fig. 9.11,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

L+

0
C0

10

20

30

C , wt% Sn

2
(room T solubility limit)

Chapter 9 - 22

Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems II
L: C0 wt% Sn

T(C)
For alloys for which
400
2 wt% Sn < C0 < 18.3 wt% Sn
L
Result:
300
at temperatures in + range
-- polycrystalline with grains
and small -phase particles 200
T

L +

: C0 wt% Sn

100

Adapted from Fig. 9.12,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

+
0

10

20

Pb-Sn
system
30

C0
C, wt%
2
(sol. limit at Troom )
18.3
(sol. limit at TE)

Sn

Chapter 9 - 23

Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems III
For alloy of composition C0 = CE
Result: Eutectic microstructure (lamellar structure)
-- alternating layers (lamellae) of and phases.

T(C)
L: C0 wt% Sn

300

Pb-Sn
system

200

L+

100

183C

TE

20
18.3

Adapted from Fig. 9.13,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

40

Micrograph of Pb-Sn
eutectic
microstructure

: 97.8 wt% Sn
: 18.3 wt%Sn

60
CE
61.9

80

160 m
Adapted from Fig. 9.14,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

100
97.8

C, wt% Sn

Chapter 9 - 24

Lamellar Eutectic Structure

Schematic representation of formation of the eutectic

structure for leas-tin system. Direction of diffusion of tin
and lead atom are indicated by blue and red arrow
respectively
Adapted from Figs. 9.14 & 9.15, Callister
& Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 25

Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems IV
For alloys for which 18.3 wt% Sn < C0 < 61.9 wt% Sn
Result: phase particles and a eutectic microconstituent
T(C)

L: C0 wt% Sn
L

300

Pb-Sn
system

200

L+

TE

100

L+

20
18.3

Adapted from Fig. 9.16,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

primary
eutectic
eutectic

40

60
61.9

Just above TE :

C = 18.3 wt% Sn
CL = 61.9 wt% Sn
S
= 0.50
=
W
R+S
WL = (1- W) = 0.50

Just below TE :

80

C, wt% Sn

100
97.8

C = 18.3 wt% Sn

C = 97.8 wt% Sn

W = S = 0.73
R+S
W = 0.27

Chapter 9 - 26

Hypoeutectic & Hypereutectic

300

T(C)

Adapted from Fig. 9.8,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
(Fig. 10.8 adapted from
Binary Phase Diagrams,
2nd ed., Vol. 3, T.B.
Massalski (Editor-in-Chief),
ASM International,
Materials Park, OH, 1990.)

200

L+
+

100

20

40

hypoeutectic: C0 = 50 wt% Sn
(Figs. 9.14 and 9.17
from Metals
Handbook, 9th ed.,
Vol. 9,
Metallography and
Microstructures,
American Society for
Metals, Materials
Park, OH, 1985.)

L+

TE

60

80

eutectic
61.9

hypereutectic: (illustration only)

Adapted from
Fig. 9.17, Callister &
Rethwisch 8e.

C, wt% Sn

eutectic: C0 = 61.9 wt% Sn

175 m

100

(Pb-Sn
System)

160 m
eutectic micro-constituent
Adapted from Fig. 9.14,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Adapted from Fig. 9.17,

Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
(Illustration only)
Chapter 9 - 27

Eutectic, Eutectoid, & Peritectic

Eutectic - liquid transforms to two solid phases
L

cool
heat

(For Pb-Sn, 183C, 61.9 wt% Sn)

Eutectoid one solid phase transforms to two other

solid phases
intermetallic compound
S2
S1+S3
- cementite

cool
heat

+ Fe3C (For Fe-C, 727C, 0.76 wt% C)

Peritectic - liquid and one solid phase transform to a

second solid phase
S1 + L
S2
+L

cool
heat

(For Fe-C, 1493C, 0.16 wt% C)

Chapter 9 - 28

Iron-Carbon (Fe-C) Phase Diagram

L + Fe3C

- Eutectoid (B):
+ Fe3C

T(C)
1600

1400
1200

+L

(austenite)

1000

800

1148C

+Fe3C

727C = T eutectoid

600

120 m

Result: Pearlite =
alternating layers of
and Fe3C phases
(Adapted from Fig. 9.27,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.)

400
0
(Fe)

L+Fe3C

Fe3C (cementite)

2 important
points
- Eutectic (A):

+Fe3C
1

0.76

4.30

6.7

C, wt% C

Fe3C (cementite-hard)
(ferrite-soft)
Adapted from Fig. 9.24,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 29

Hypoeutectoid Steel

T(C)

1600

+L

1200
(austenite)

+ Fe3C

800

727C

600

+ Fe3C

400
0
(Fe)C

pearlite

L+Fe3C

1148C

1000

1
0.76

(Fe-C
System)

Fe3C (cementite)

1400

6.7

Adapted from Figs. 9.24

and 9.29,Callister &
Rethwisch 8e.
(Fig. 9.24 adapted from
Binary Alloy Phase
Diagrams, 2nd ed., Vol.
1, T.B. Massalski (Ed.-inChief), ASM International,
Materials Park, OH,
1990.)

C, wt% C

100 m Hypoeutectoid
steel

pearlite

proeutectoid ferrite
Adapted from Fig. 9.30, Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 30

Hypereutectoid Steel

T(C)

1600

+L

1200
(austenite)

1000

L+Fe3C

1148C

+Fe3C

800

600

400
0
(Fe)
pearlite

+Fe3C
0.76

Fe3C

(Fe-C
System)

1 C0

Fe3C (cementite)

1400

Adapted from Figs. 9.24

and 9.32,Callister &
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.24
adapted from Binary Alloy
Phase Diagrams, 2nd
ed., Vol. 1, T.B. Massalski
(Ed.-in-Chief), ASM
International, Materials
Park, OH, 1990.)

6.7

C, wt%C

60 mHypereutectoid
steel

pearlite

proeutectoid Fe3C

Adapted from Fig. 9.33, Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 31

Hypereutectoid Steel

T(C)

1600

+L

1200
(austenite)

W =x/(v + x)
WFe
3C =(1-W)

+Fe3C
v x

800

V
600

pearlite
400
0
(Fe)

Wpearlite = W

X
1 C0

W = X/(V + X)
WFe C=(1 - W)
3

L+Fe3C

1148C

1000

0.76

Fe3C

(Fe-C
System)

+Fe3C
2

Fe3C (cementite)

1400

Adapted from Figs. 9.24

and 9.32,Callister &
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 9.24
adapted from Binary Alloy
Phase Diagrams, 2nd
ed., Vol. 1, T.B. Massalski
(Ed.-in-Chief), ASM
International, Materials
Park, OH, 1990.)

6.7

C, wt%C

60 mHypereutectoid
steel

pearlite

proeutectoid Fe3C

Adapted from Fig. 9.33, Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

Chapter 9 - 32

1600
For a 99.6 wt% Fe-0.40 wt% C

steel at a temperature just

L
1400
T(C)
below the eutectoid,
+L

1200
1148C
determine the following:
(austenite)
a) The compositions of Fe3C
1000
+ Fe3C
and ferrite ().
800
727C
b) The amount of cementite
(in grams) that forms in
600
+ Fe3C
100 g of steel.
400
0
c) The amounts of pearlite
1
2
3
4
5
C , wt% C
and proeutectoid ferrite
() in the 100 g.

L+Fe3C

Chapter 9 - 33

Fe3C (cementite)

Example Problem (Quiz)

6.7

Solution to Example Problem

a) Using the RS tie line just below the eutectoid
C = 0.022 wt% C
CFe3C = 6.70 wt% C

WFe 3C

R
C C
0
R S CFe 3C C
0.40 0.022
0.057
6.70 0.022

1600

1400

T(C)

1200

+L

(austenite)

Amount of Fe3C in 100 g

= (100 g)WFe3C
= (100 g)(0.057) = 5.7 g

+ Fe3C

800

727C

S
+ Fe3C

600
400
0

L+Fe3C

1148C

1000

Fe C (cementite)

b) Using the lever rule with

the tie line shown

C C0

C , wt% C

6.7

CFe

3C

Chapter 9 - 34

Solution to Example Problem (cont.)

c) Using the VX tie line just above the eutectoid and
realizing that

Wpearlite

V
C C
0
V X C C

0.40 0.022
0.512
0.76 0.022

Amount of pearlite in 100 g

= (100 g)Wpearlite

1600

1400

T(C)

1200

+L

(austenite)

1000

+ Fe3C

800

727C

VX
600
400
0

+ Fe3C
1

C C0 C

= (100 g)(0.512) = 51.2 g

L+Fe3C

1148C

C, wt% C
Chapter 9 - 35

Fe C (cementite)

C0 = 0.40 wt% C
C = 0.022 wt% C
Cpearlite = C = 0.76 wt% C

6.7

Alloying with Other Elements

Ti

Mo

Si

Cr
Mn
Ni

Ceutectoid changes:
Ceutectoid (wt% C)

T Eutectoid (C)

Teutectoid changes:

Ni
Cr
Si
Ti Mo

Mn

wt. % of alloying elements

wt. % of alloying elements

Adapted from Fig. 9.34,Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

(Fig. 9.34 from Edgar C. Bain, Functions of the
Alloying Elements in Steel, American Society for
Metals, 1939, p. 127.)

Adapted from Fig. 9.35,Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

(Fig. 9.35 from Edgar C. Bain, Functions of the
Alloying Elements in Steel, American Society for
Metals, 1939, p. 127.)

Chapter 9 - 36

Microstructural and Property

Changes in Iron- Carbon Alloy

Austenite is a metallic, non-magnetic solid solution of carbon

and iron that exists in steel above the critical temperature
of 1333F ( 723C).
Its face-centred cubic (FCC) structure allows it to hold a high
proportion of carbon in solution. As it cools, this structure
either breaks down into a mixture of ferrite and cementite
(usually in the structural forms pearlite or bainite), or
undergoes a slight lattice distortion known as martensite
transformation.
The rate of cooling determines the relative proportions of
these materials and therefore the mechanical properties
(e.g. hardness, tensile strength) of the steel.

Chapter 9 - 37

Isothermal Transformation Diagrams

Time Temperature
Transformation Plot
Isothermal
transformation diagram
versus- logarithm of time
measurement (top)
Eutectoid temperature
The lowest temperature at which
austenite transforms
into ferrite and cementite

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Pearlite
Chapter 9 -

PERLITE, BAINITE , MARTENSITE

Pearlite
temp range
540-727oC
Bainite temp
range 215540oC
Martensite
temp range
200-165oC

Chapter 9 -

ISOTHERMAL TRANSFORMZATION DIAGRAMS

Course pearlite

Upper bainite

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Fine pearlite

Lower Bainite

Isothermal transformation
diagram for an iron-carbon alloy
of eutectoid composition,
including austenite to bainite
transformation
Chapter 9 -

MARTENSITE
Martensite is formed when austenitized iron-carbon alloys are
rapidly cooled ( quench) to a relatively low temp( in the vicinity
of the ambient).
Martensite is a none-equilibrium single phase structure that
results from diffusionless transformation of austenite.
The martensitic transformation occurs when the quenching rate
is rapid enough to prevent carbon diffusion.
Because the martenisitic transformation does not involve
diffusion, it occurs almost instantaneously; the martensite grain
nucleated and grow at a very rapid rate thus is time
independent
Matensite grains take on a plate like or needlelike appearance
Fig 10.21

Chapter 9 - 41

Example

Aftercoolingandholdingat700Cfor104s,
approximately50%ofthespecimenhastransformed
tocoarse
pearlite.

A=austenite
B=bainite
M= matensite
P = pearlite

Upon cooling to room temperature, the remaining

50%transformstomartensite.
Hence,thefinalmicrostructureconsistsofabout50%
coarsepearliteand50%martensite.
Chapter 9 -

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.

Chapter 9 - 43

Homework (Callister)
9.47 (a)What is the distinction between hypoeutectoid
and hyperutectoid steels?
(b) in a hypoeutectoid steel both eutectoid and
proeutectoid exits. Explain the difference between them.
What will be the carbon concentration in each?
9.50 Consider 1.0 kg of autenite containing 1.15 wt% C ,
cooled to below 725oC
(a)What is proeutectoid phase?
(b)How many kg each of total ferrite and cementite form
(c)How many kg each of perlite and the proeutetoid phase form?
(d)Schematically sketch and label the resulting microstructure
Chapter 9 - 44

ANNOUNCEMENTS
Reading:
Core Problems:
Self-help Problems:

Chapter 9 - 45