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Basic Metallurgy - Chap2

The document discusses the basics of metallurgy and welding, including: 1) When metals are heated above their melting points and mixed, they usually form an alloy through a solid solution or intermetallic compound. 2) Solid solutions exist as either substitutional or interstitial types depending on how the solute atom is positioned in the lattice. 3) Heat treatment involves carefully controlled heating, soaking, and cooling steps to produce desired mechanical properties by modifying the alloy microstructure.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
151 views117 pages

Basic Metallurgy - Chap2

The document discusses the basics of metallurgy and welding, including: 1) When metals are heated above their melting points and mixed, they usually form an alloy through a solid solution or intermetallic compound. 2) Solid solutions exist as either substitutional or interstitial types depending on how the solute atom is positioned in the lattice. 3) Heat treatment involves carefully controlled heating, soaking, and cooling steps to produce desired mechanical properties by modifying the alloy microstructure.

Uploaded by

Ahmed
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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II : Physics and Metallurgy of welded joints

2.1 Basic metallurgy


• When combinations of two or more metals are heated to above
their melting points and mixed together, they usually
become an alloy.
• If this mixing is within a specific range of temperature and
composition, these combinations represent an alloying system.
• Although alloying can have additional effects on the basic
system, one effect is to produce a blend of the atoms in such
away that one species is dissolved in the other, in other words,
a solid solution.
• In a solid solution material, the atoms of the host species are
referred to as the solvent and those of the dissolved species as
the solute.
• Solid solutions fall in two distinct classes, which differ with
respect to the position of the solute atom relative to the lattice
site as shown in the figure. These are (1) substitutional solid
solutions and (2) interstitial solid solutions.
• Most of alloys contain an intermetallic compound. An
intermetallic compound is made up of two or more elements,
producing a new phase with its own composition, crystal
structure, and properties. In fact intermetallic compounds are
almost solid solution has, sometimes, a fixed chemical ratio of its
own elements. There re two types on intermetallic compounds as
the following:
1. These compounds have a fixed composition, for
instant, steels are strengthened by a intermetallic
compound, Fe3 C that has a fixed ratio of three iron
atoms to one carbon atom.
2. These compounds can have a limited range of
compositions and therefore they have not a fixed
chemical ratio of its own elements. One can find
such compounds in almost 90% of the known alloy
systems.
• Alloying systems are classified according to the number of
components or elements that represent the system. For instance,
two components called binary system; three components called
ternary system and four components called quaternary system;
and so on.
• In a particular alloy system, the elements may combine within
a certain temperature range to form more than one chemically
homogeneous, coexisting portion. Each of these portions can
have a different chemical composition and exhibit different
properties. A homogeneous (chemically uniform), physically
distinct portion of an alloy system is called a phase.
• Solid solutions and intermetallic compounds are considered as
phases because each of them have homogeneous portion of an
alloy system.
• In an alloying system consisting of two or more metals
combinations, phases are marked out or described by definite
boundaries and their composition is either invariant (fixed) or
varies in a continuous manner. This description manner is called
equilibrium phase diagram.
• Before the continuing in the explanation of the phase diagrams,
one should understand the basic fundamentals of the
solidification of pure metal and alloys. The emphasis will be
towards the understanding of the cooling curves during the
transformation of the material from liquid to solid states.
Now let us describe the heating of pure metal from solid to liquid
state. According to the previous equations

Q W H m
W Hm represents energy
required to break-
down all atomic
bonding. Hm term
is called latent
heat of fusion.
Now suppose, it is required to cool molten pure metal from liquid
state to solid state. As shown, the pure metal will behave an
opposite behavior for that was taking place during melting.

Q W Hm
There are two alloys materials also do behave the same behavior of the
pure metals during the transformation from liquid to solid state.
Generally, intermetallic compound solidified at fixed temperature like
pure metals. Another alloy composition, which is called eutectic*
composition alloy, is behaving same behavior like the pure metals in
which its solidification is taking place at constant temperature Teu. In
binary alloying system, which is consisted from two elements A and B,
eutectic composition alloys always have melting temperature Teu lower
than the melting temperature of the elements TA and TB.

* Eutectic is Latin word means the alloy which is easily melted or which
has a perfect structure

Electron photomicrograph of edge dislocation in metallic compound


Ti3Al under magnification of x 36500.
Basics of the Equilibrium Phase diagrams
The binary alloys possible from combining two pure metals can be thought
of as a field containing all possible combinations of the two metals; this is
shown in the figure.
A system or (pure metal or alloy) is said to be at equilibrium
state when its phase is in lower energy condition. In other
words, at certain conditions of temperatures and
concentrations, if a certain phase is existed, this will mean
that this phase at the lower free energy.
When component B is dissolving in another component A to
form a solid solution phase, the maximum amount of the
component B that can be dissolved in component A is called
solubility limit. For example, alcohol has unlimited solubility
in water at any temperature. On the other hand, sugar has
limited solubility in water depending on temperature. Also,
oil is insoluble in water at room temperature but by
increasing temperature oil may dissolve itself in water with
very little amounts. The same concepts can be applied to
solid phases: Cu and Ni are mutually soluble in any amount
(unlimited solid solubility), while carbon C has a limited
solubility in Iron Fe.
Types of the Equilibrium
Phase diagrams
Type I: Complete solubility in liquid
and solid state systems

•Phases
•Points and lines
Some of alloying systems that are following this type of
phase diagram are Cu-Ni, Ag-Au, Mo-V and Ta-W
At T= 1270 °C
% Amount of a-phase solid solution = line 2`-2 C 0 -C L2'
 100 = 2'' 2'  100
line 2`-2`` C S -C L
line 2-2`` C S2'' -C0
% Amount of L-phase =  100 = 2'' 2'  100
line 2`-2`` C S -C L
Type II: Complete solubility in liquid state and
partially solubility in solid state with
eutectic reaction systems

•Phases
•Points and lines
At T3
% Amount of a-phase solid solution =
𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝟑`` 𝟑 𝑪𝟑𝑳 𝑪𝟎
𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝟑`` 𝟑` 𝑪𝟑𝑳 𝑪𝟑𝑺

% Amount of L-phase =
𝑳𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝟑 𝟑` 𝑪𝟎 𝑪𝟑𝑺
𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝟑`` 𝟑` 𝑪𝟑𝑳 𝑪𝟑𝑺
Type III: Complete solubility in liquid state and
Complete insolubility in solid state with
eutectic reaction systems
Type IV: Complete solubility in liquid state and
partially solubility in solid state with
peritectic reaction systems
Example: Given the following information for hypothetical (A-B) binary system, which is
totally soluble in liquid state and partially soluble in solid state with eutectic reaction.

• Melting temperature of elements A and B are 1000°C and 800 °C;


• Eutectic temperature and composition are 550 °C and 50 %B,
Maximum solubility of B in A (a-phase) is 10 % B at the eutectic
temperature
• Maximum solubility of A in B (-phase) is 15 % A at the eutectic
temperature
Consider that the solubility of a and  phases are diminished
at room temperature and all phase boundaries are straight
lines.
It is required to:
1) Sketch to scale the phase diagram on squared paper.
2) On your sketch write the different phases and information.
3) For the 30%B alloy composition, determine the phases just
existed at the end of solidification and calculate the total
amounts of a-phase in this alloy.
For 30%B
The exised phases after solidification are eutectic and a
C eu - C o 50 - 30
Amount of a phase % =  100 =  100= 50% with composition of 10%B
C eu  Ca 50 - 10
C o - Ca 30 - 10
Amount of E phase % =  100 =  100= 50% with composition of C eu = 50%B
C eu  Ca 50 - 10
2.2 Heat Treatment
Heat Treatment has been defined in handbook as
a combination of heating and Cooling operations, timed and
applied to a metal or alloy in solid state in a way that will
produce desired properties, that are certain predetermined
physical and mechanical properties.

As it is expected the desired properties which are needed by


heat treatment, are mainly dependent on the
microstructure of the alloy, i.e. nature, shape, size and
distribution of the phases.

57
Heat Treatment Steps
According to the definition of the heat treatment by handbook the
steps of heat treatment can be determined as given in the following
steps:

• Heating

• Soaking

• Cooling

58
Heating must be controlled to
the desired temperature using
a good insulated proper heating
furnace under a suitable
atmosphere to prevent the heat
dissipation and the oxidation
process.

Soaking is the essential step to


insure that the temperature of
component is equated between its
surface and its core. This will
depend on the dimensions of the
heat-treated component.

Cooling will affect the resulted microstructure and then the obtained
properties. Accordingly, cooling will be done either in the heating furnace
(by switch off the furnace) or by leaving the heat-treated component to be
cooled in a certain medium like air, oil or water. Occasionally, salt-bath and
low-temperature melted metals are used as a medium for cooling step. 59
Heat Treatment Processes
1. Annealing
It is a heat treatment process in which a material is taken to
an elevated temperature, kept there for some time and then left to
cool, usually, in the furnance.
Purposes of Annealing
Produce specific microstructure:
To relieve (relief) internal or residual stresses.
To increase softness, ductility, toughness and machinability.

Stages of Annealing
Heating to required temperature, which is defined according to the
objective of the annealing.
Soaking at the required temperature by leaving the heat-treated material
for soaking of half hour for every 25 mm thickness.
Cooling step is done slowly inside the furnace by switch off the furnace
after the soaking. This will achieve about 50-100 C/hr cooling rates. 60
Types of Annealing Processes
i. Stress relief annealing
It is used to eliminate
and/or minimize stresses
arising from plastic
deformation during
machining or forming
processes. Stress relief
annealing allows these
stresses to relax. Annealing
temperatures are relatively
low so that useful effects of
cold working are not
eliminated. The given
figure shows that heating
temperature for the stress
relief annealing is between
625-650 C
61
ii. Recrystallisation and grain growth annealing

It is used to eliminate
residual and internal
stresses and create new
grains that will be coarse
grains. This process will
lead to increase the
ductility and th
workability. As shown in
the given figure, heating
temperature for
recrystallisation is about
650-670 C

62
iii. Spheroidisation annealing

It is long soaking time heating


just below the eutectoid
temperature of the 727 C
(below A1 and A1,3) by about
25-30C. This will produce soft
spheroidite structure that
could be needed in subsequent
forming operations. It is
usually performed for plain
carbon steel of more than 0.45
wt%. The heating temperature
range and the plain carbon
steel composition that used by
this process are shown in the
given figure.
It has to be noted that in the previous annealing processes types, the
heat-treated steel is heated to temperatures lower than A1 or A1,3
which mean that the steel is never reached to austenite region.
63
iv. Full annealing
It is heat treatment process
essentially to produce soft
steels suitable for all forming
and machining processes by
heating up the steel to reach
g-austenite phase region, then
let the steel to slow cool inside
the furnace. The resulting are
coarse pearlite and possible
proeutectoid phase according
to the carbon content of the
steel. The heating temperature
range of the full annealing is
shown in the given figure as
the following:

For hypoeutectoid steel T = A3 + (20-40) C

For hypereutectoid steel T = A1,3 + (20-40) C


64
2. Normalizing
It is similar to annealing, except that during cooling stage the
material is cooled at a faster rate than annealing usually outside
the furnaces in air.

Purposes of Normalizing
• Generally to control more precisely a define grain size to produce
finer pearlite mixture and finer proeutectoid phase.

65
Stages of Normalizing
In order to achieve the
objectives of normalizing,
heat-treated steel alloys are
heated up to austenite region
(austenitizing) according to the
steel composition as the
following
For hypoeutectoid steel:
T = A3 + (40-80) C

For hypereutectoid steel


T = Acm + (30-60) C

Then, the treatment is


completed by cooling into air
after predetermined soaking
time of 10-20 minutes for every
10 mm material thickness.
66
It has to be noted that in case of full annealing only 20 to 40 C above A3
and A1,3 is needed for softening of hypo and hyper eutectoid steels. On the
other hand, 40 to 80 C is needed for normalizing of the hypo-eutectoid steel
above A3 and 30 to 60 C is needed above Acm for hyper-eutectoid steel.
Also, in case of full annealing it is forbidden to increase temperature of
heating stage above Acm for hyper-eutectoid steel to prevent the brittle
Fe3C to be coarse phase as the result of the very slow cooling stage of the
full annealing inside the furnace.

67
3. Hardening
Hardening is the process of heating the steel to temperature
sufficient to produce an austenite condition (not essentially
austenitizing) depending on the carbon content of steel
followed by rapid cooling at rate fast enough to prevent the
transformation to any product phase(s) differ than martensite.
This cooling type called quenching process.

Purposes of Hardening
The main objectives of steel hardening process are inducing high
hardness and achieving high wear-resistance for steels. Hardening is
done to all heavy-duty carbon steel machines parts and almost all
machine parts made of all steel types.

68
Stages of Hardening
In order to achieve the
objectives of hardening, plain
carbon steels are heated up to
temperature depending on the
steel composition as the
following:
For hypoeutectoid steel:
T = A3 + (20-40) C
For hypereutectoid steel
T = A1,3 + (20-40) C

69
Introduction to phase
Transformation
Phase transformations (change of the microstructure)
can be divided into three categories:
• Phase transformations with no change in phase composition or number
of phases present (e.g. melting, solidification of pure metal).
• Phase transformations with changes in phase compositions and/or
number of phases (e.g. eutectic, peritectic and eutectoid reactions
transformations).
• Phase transformations produced due to small displacements of all atoms
in structure (e.g. Polymorphism and Allotropic Phenomena).

70
Objectives and Remarks
• The present studying is devoted to discuss the transformation involving in
solid phases.

• Emphasis will be toward the phase transformation involved in the Fe-Fe3C


phase diagram due its familiarity and because it contains wide varieties of
microstructures for Fe-Fe3C alloys.

• Phase transformations do not occur instantaneously, the progress of the


phase transformation is depending on time.

• The final structure often depends on the rate of cooling/heating. Therefore,


it is required to consider the time dependence or kinetics of the phase
transformations

71
Fe–Fe3C Phase Diagram

72
Phase Transformation Stages (kinetics)
Rates of solid state reactions
• Often phase transformation => Nucleation + Growth
• Nucleation =>formation of very small particles of a new phase
• Growth =>nuclei increase in size

73
Time-Temperature-Transformation Diagram
(TTT Diagram) (Isothermal Transformation Diagrams)
Introduction
Consider again the Fe-Fe3C eutectoid reaction:

74
Effect of Temperature on rate of the g-austenite-to-pearlite transformation for
the eutectoid alloy of 0.77% C

The S-shaped curves are shifted to longer times at higher temperature 75


indicating that the transformation is dominated by nucleation
In order to represent both the time and temperature dependence of the phase
transformation, the bottom portion of the following figure is given. The vertical
and the horizontal axes are, respectively, temperature and logarithm of time.
• At temperatures above the
eutectoid and for all times, only g-
austenite will exist.
• g-phase to pearlite transformation
will occur only if an alloy is
supercooled to temperature below
eutectoid temperature of 727C.
• The time necessary for the
transformation to begin and then
to end depends on temperature.
• The start and finish curves are
nearly parallel, and they approach
the eutectoid temperature line.
• At the left of the transformation
start curve, only unstable g-
austenite will be present, whereas
at the right of the finish curve,
only stable pearlite will exist.

• Between the start and the finish curves, the g-austenite is in the process of
transformation to pearlite, and thus both microstructures will be presented. 76
Several constraints are
imposed on the figure:

• First, this particular plot is valid only


for Fe-Fe3C alloy of eutectoid
composition (0.77%C), for other
composition the curves will have
different configuration.
• In addition, these plots are accurate
only for transformation in which the
temperature of the alloy is held
constant throughout the duration of
the reaction. This Condition is
termed isothermal transformation
and the diagrams is called time-
temperature-transformation
(or T-T-T) plots.

77
T-T-T Diagram of the Eutectoid Fe3C Alloy

•An actual isothermal heat


treatment curve (ABCD) is
superimposed on the
isothermal transformation
diagram for eutectoid Fe-
Fe3C alloy of 0.77% C.
•Very rapid cooling of g-
austenite to a temperature is
indicated by near-vertical
line AB, and the isothermal
treatment at this temperature
is represented by the
horizontal segment BCD.
•The transformation of g-austenite to pearlite begins at the intersection of point C
after approximately 3.5 seconds .
•g-austenite is completed to pearlitic transformation after about 15 seconds,
corresponding to point D.
78
Pearlite structures formed at
different temperatures

Much below eutectoid


Near eutectoid temperature temperature
Slow diffusion => coarse pearlite Fast diffusion => fine
pearlite

79
Bainite Formation
• In addition to pearlite,
other microstructure can
be produced from the
transformation of the g-
austenite. One of them is
called bainite.
• As shown in the figure the
time-temperature
dependence of the bainite
transformation may also
be represented on the TTT
diagram
• The following sign were
used for each of the
following phases: P for
Pearlite and B for Bainite.

80
• The figure indicates that
all transformation curves
(beginning, half reaction
and end) are C-shape with
a nose at point N.
• As it may be noted from
the figure, pearlite forms
above the nose N in the
temperature range of
about 540 to 727 C for
the eutectoid alloy of Fe-
0.77% C.
• Whereas for isothermal
treatment at
temperatures between
about 215 and 540 C,
bainite is the
transformation product.

81
• The microstructure of bainite consists of a matrix of ferrite contains
a distribution needles of cementite, Fe3C, phase
• The following figure illustrates schematically the mechanism of bainite
formation
• As shown in the figure bainite is
nucleated by ferrite, which is
followed by precipitation of
cementite, Fe3C. This process leads to
a dispersion of iron carbide in a
matrix of ferrite in the form of
platelike or needles
• Higher transformation temperature
below 540 C leads to the so-called
upper bainite, where coarse Fe3C is
distributed over a ferrite matrix.
• Lower transformation temperature
below 540 C near to 215 C leads
to finer distribution of Fe3C
82
The following figure shows the microscopic graph of both
upper and lower bainite.

Upper Bainite Lower Bainite

Microscopic Photos of Upper and Lower Bainite

83
Spheroidite Formation

84
Heating pearlite or bainite below eutectoid temperature for almost 18 to 24
hours, will lead to a transformation called spheroidite.

Heating pearlite or
bainite below 727  C
for 18 - 24 hours

Fe3C-cementite phase
appears as spherelike
particles embedded in
a continuous a-ferrite
phase
85
Martensite Formation
In addition to pearlite and bainite other microstructure called martensite
is formed when any austenitized Fe-Fe3C alloys are rapidly cooled
(quenched) to relatively low temperature.
Martensite results from a diffusion-less transformation of g-austenite,
where carbon diffusion is prevented due to the rapid quenching rate.
Therefore, martensite is metastable phase, which it can persist indefinitely
at room temperature, but will transform to equilibrium phases if it is
heated at an elevated temperature.
In martensitic transformation, large numbers of
atoms are encountering co-operative
movements, in that there is only a slight
displacement of each atom relative to its
neighbours.
This occurs in such a way that the FCC g-austenite
is transforming to body-centred tetragonal (BCT)
martensite
86
• As shown in the figure, all the carbon atoms
remain as interstitial impurities in martensite
phase.
• Martensite can coexist with other phases and/or
microstructures like a-ferrite, pearlite and g-
austenite in the Fe-C system.
• Martensite is metastable phase, it does not appear
in Fe-Fe3C phase diagram.

• Martensite grains appear as very dense area


of platelike (or needlelike) cementite, Fe3C,
phase imbedded in a matrix of retained g-
austenite that did not transform during the
rapid quenching as indicated in the
micrograph of the given figure.

87
• Being the metastable
martensite phase dose not
appears on the Fe-Fe3C phase
diagram, the g-austenite to
martensite transformation is
represented on the isothermal
transformation diagram (TTT
diagram) of the eutectoid alloy
(Fe-.077% C) as shown in the
given figure

88
• Martensite transformation can be depicted
in Figure .
• The beginning of the martensite
transformation is represented by horizontal
line designed M (start) at about 215 C for
the eutectoid alloy.
• Two other solid horizontal and dashed
horizontal lines, labeled M (50%) and
M (90%), indicate percentages of the
austenite to martensite transformation.
• The temperatures at which these lines are
located vary with alloy composition as
shown in the figure.
• The horizontal and linear character of
these lines indicates that the
martensitic transformation is
independent of time; it is a function
only on the temperature to which the
alloy is quenched or rapidly cooled.
89
Effect of Carbon Percentage on TTT Diagram
1. TTT diagram for hypoeutectoid Fe-0.5% C alloy

90
2. TTT diagram for hypereutectoid Fe-1.1% C alloy

91
Application of TTT Diagrams

TTT diagram can be used to specify the nature of the final


microstructure and approximate percentages of the phases that
are existed at room temperature according to certain heat
treatment path
Consider three case of heat treatment of Fe-0.77% C eutectoid steel rapid
cooled from preheated temperature of 760 C (>727C) as follows:

a) Rapidly cool to 350 C, hold for 104 s and quench to room temperature;
b) Rapidly cool to 250 C, hold for 100 s and quench to room temperature;
c) Rapidly cool to 650 C, hold for 20 s, rapidly cool to 400 C, hold for 103 s
and quench to room temperature;

In each case, the initial cooling is rapid enough to prevent any no required transformation

92
a)At 350 C g transforms to B;
the reaction starts after 10 s
and ends at 500 s. By 104 s,
100% of the specimen is
bainite and no more
transformation is possible.
b)At 250 C, at 100 s the
specimen is still 100% g. As
the specimen is cooled, M is
started at 215 C.
Transformation is complete
by the time until room
temperature is reached at
100% martensite.
c)At 650 C, P begins after 7 s;
after 20 s 50% of g is
transformed to P. During
rapid cool to 400 C little of
the remaining g transforms to
either P and/or B. At 400 C
and after 103 s, the remaining
50% g will have completely
transformed to bainite
93
Continuous Cooling Transformation
Diagrams (CCT)
• Heat treatment using isothermal
transformation diagrams is not
rather practical especially for
bulk samples.
• Most heat treatments involve
continuous cooling
• For continuous cooling, the time
required for a reaction to begin
and end are delayed as shown in
the figure
• Isothermal curves are shifted to
longer times and lower
temperatures.
• Normally, bainite will not form
during continuous cooling of plain
carbon steel 94
The given figure indicates
two cooling curves for
eutectoid steel
corresponding to:

 slow rate
 moderately fast rate

As shown in the figure,


the transformation starts
after time period
corresponding to the
intersection of the cooling
curves with the beginning
reaction curve and ends
upon crossing the
completion transformation
curve.

95
In case of continuous cooling
transformation diagram,
critical cooling rate for
martensite formation of the
eutectoid steel can be defined
to be 140 C/s for 0.76% C.

Also the figure indicates


cooling rates slower than
35 C/s are essentially to
produce only pearlite
microstructure

Critical cooling rate depends


on steel composition. Lower
carbon content shifts the
nose to the left. Therefore,
lower carbon steels require
higher cooling rates for
martensite formation
96
Mechanical Behavior of Fe-C Alloys
(Structure and properties)
Cementite is much harder but more brittle than ferrite. Therefore, increasing the
fraction of Fe3C in a steel alloy while holding other microstructural elements
constant will result in a harder and stronger material as well as less ductile and
less tough (toughness) (‫ )المتانة‬or impact energy material.

97
The layer thickness of each of the ferrite and cementite phases in the
pearlite microstructure also influences the mechanical behavior of the
material. Fine pearlite is harder and stronger than coarse pearlite.
Coarse pearlite is more ductile than fine pearlite.

98
Bainitic steels microstructure has smaller dispersed fine cementite needles
particles in ferritic matrix. Therefore, the finer structure steels with bainite
structure are stronger and harder than pearlitic ones

99
Martensite and Tempered
Martensite Properties
Of the various microstructures that may be produced for a given steel
alloy, martensite is the hardest.

The given figure plots the


hardness of martensite and
fine pearlite, for comparison,
as a function of carbon
weight percent and Fe3C
cementite fraction percent.

100
• Because martensite is so brittle, it has negligible ductility. Therefore, it needs
to be modified for practical applications. A process called tempering
. does this modification. Martensite is heated below A1 (lower than eutectoid
temperature) to usually about 250-650 C and then it is kept at the chosen
temperature for predetermined time period.
• Therefore, it needs to be modified for practical
applications. A process called tempering . does
this modification. Martensite is heated below
A1 (lower than eutectoid temperature) to
usually about 250-650 C and then it is kept at
the chosen temperature for predetermined
time period.

• This will produce the so-called tempered


martensite, which is an extremely fine
dispersed cementite grains in a ferrite matrix
as shown in the figure according to the
following reaction equation:

Martensite (BCT, single phase) Tempered martensite (a+Fe3C)


101
102
The dependence of the tensile and yield strength and ductility (reduction
in area %) on tempering temperature for martenstic oil-quenched plain
carbon steel is shown in the following figure.

103
1. Using the TTT diagram of the 0.45 wt% C steel
alloy shown in Fig. 1, determine the final
microstructure developed during the following
time-temperature treatment which are carried out
on small 0.45 wt% C steel specimens. Note that all
specimens are heated up to 845°C, and held at this
temperature long time enough to achieve
a complete and homogeneous g-austenitic structure,
then they are cooled according to the following
sequences:
104
a) Rapidly cool to 250°C, hold for 103 s and then quench to RT

105
b) Rapidly cool to 700°C, hold for 30 s and then quench to RT

106
c) Rapidly cool to 400°C, hold for 500 s and then quench to RT

107
d) Rapidly cool to 700°C, hold for 105 s and then quench to RT

108
e) Rapidly cool to 650°C, hold at this temperature for 3 s, rapidly
cool to 400°C, hold for 10 s and then quench to RT

109
f) Rapidly cool to 450°C, hold for 10 s and then quench to RT

110
g) Rapidly cool to 625°C, hold for 1 s and then quench to RT

111
h) Rapidly cool to 625°C, hold at this temperature for 10
s, rapidly cool to 400°C, hold for 15 s, then quench RT

112
Heat Treatment
2. For the alloy of Fe-0.45 wt% C, sketch and label on
the diagram of Fig. 1 the time-temperature paths to
produce the following microstructures:
(a) 50% proeutectoid ferrite and 50% coarse pearlite
(b) 50% fine pearlite and 50% bainite
(c) 100% martensite

114
(a) 50% proeutectoid ferrite
and 50% coarse pearlite

(b) 50% fine pearlite and 50%


bainite

(c) 100% martensite

115
3. Using the CCT diagram of the eutectoid steel
given in Fig. 2, define and name the
microstructural products of eutectoid Fe-Fe3C
alloy of 0.77 wt% C specimens that are first
completely transformed to austenite, then
continuously cooled to RT at the following rates:
(a) 200°C/s
(b) 100°C/s
(c) 20°C/s

116
(a) 200°C/s

(b) 100°C/s

(c) 20°C/s

117

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