Ferrous Metals and Alloys Flashcards
What is the difference between alloys and compounds?
Elements in alloys have chemical affinities to create mixtures of different ratios that can enhance certain properties of the elements.
Elements in compounds share chemical bonds to form new molecules with unique properties.
What is a solid solution and what are the two types?
A type of alloy where an element is dissolved into another to form a single-phase structure.
- Substitutional: atoms of solvent are replaced in its unit cell by dissolved element
- Interstitial: atoms of dissolving element fit into vacant spaces between base metal atoms in lattice structure
What are Intermediate phases?
Occur in alloys when amount of the dissolving element exceeds the solid solubility limit of the base material. Has chemical composition in-between those of pure elements
Phase diagram
Shows the relationship between the temperature (y axis) and composition (x axis) of an alloy
Binary phase diagram
When the alloy consists of two elements. Also known as an equilibirum diagram.
Inverse lever rule
Determines the proportion of each phase at a given temperature and composition.
See Ferrous Metals 1 for equations.
What are ferrous metals and alloys?
Ferrous metaks are based on iron, with the most common alloys being iron and carbon. Ferrous meteruals make up 70%-85% of all structural and mechanical members (by weight).
What is the carbon content of pure iron?
<0.008% C
What is the carbon content of steel?
> = 0.008% C and <2.11% C
What is the carbon content of cast iron?
> = 2.11% C and <6.7% C
What are the three phases of “pure iron” on an iron-carbon phase diagram?
𝜶-phase or ferrite (below 912°C)
𝜸-phase or austenite (between 912 °C and 1394 °C)
𝜹-phase (between 1394°C and 1538°C)
Ferrite
Takes place below 912°C. When lower than ~600°C, ferrite typically has <0.008%C.
Ferrite has a BCC crystal structure and is soft and moderately ductile.
Austenite
Takes place between 912°C and 1394°C.
Austenite has a FCC crystal structure and is ductile. It works well for hot-working procedures.
Cementite
Fe3C is an intermediate phase that is hard and brittle.
Pearlite
Is made up of ferrite and cementite when heated above the austenite zone and then cooled.
Has a relatively slow cooling rate and when air cooled has a fine grain structure. When furance cooled it is coarser.
Eutectic position
Is the melting temperature at a unique composition where two or more elements freeze or melt at the same time.
Is lower than the melting point of all components.
What is the eutectic position for an Fe-C phase diagram?
For an Fe-C phase diagram the eutectic position is at 4.3% carbon and 1130°C.
Eutectoid position
Is the “cooling temperature” at a unique composition where a single-phase solid turns into a multi-phase solid.
What is the eutectoid position for an Fe-C phase diagram?
For an Fe-C phase diagram the eutectoid position is at 0.77% carbon and 723°C. Austenite cools down into ferrite and cementite.
At room temperature under equilibirum conditions, iron-carbon alloys form a two-phase system at carbon levels even slightly above zero.
Martensite
Heated above the critical temperature (austenite zone) and then cooled.
Has a very fast cooling rate and forms BCT micro-structures. Is very hard and brittle.
Cools too fast for cementite to form.
Bainite
Heated above the critical temperature (austenite zone) and then cooled.
Has a medium cooling rate and forms very fine micro-structures of ferrite and cementite.
In between pearlite and martensite in terms of hardness.
Annealing
Involves heating the steel to above 800°C for longer than an hour and then letting it slowly cool in a furnace.
This process forms pearlite with coarse grains, good ductility, low hardness, and no residual stresses.
Normalizing
Involves heating the steel to 800°C for at least an hour and then cooling it by air (faster cooling rate than annealing).
This process forms fine pearlite with better mechanical properties than annealed steel.
Quenching
Involves heating the steel above the critical temperature (austenite at 912°C) and then cooling it quickly by submerging it in water, saltwater, or oil.
Is a non-equilibirum process and prevents the formation of ferrite or cementite.
Bct martensite is formed with high strength and hardness, but is very brittle.
Low carbon steels can not be hardened through quenching.
Tempering
Involves heating a martensitic material to 300°C or higher to precipitate the carbides out through slow air cooling.
This converts the micro-structures to bcc and relieves resiidual stresses and improves ductility and toughness. It may reduce hardness and strength.
Spheroidization
Involves holding pearlite at 700°C for a day.
Improves toughness by transforming the lamellar shape into a spherical one.
Is a way of hardening low carbon steels.