Stainless Steel & Wrought Alloys Flashcards
What are wrought alloys and where are they used?
manipulated/ shaped by cold working eg drawn into wire
Use : wires (orthodontic) partial denture clasps
What is the composition of steel?
2 main
iron >98%
carbon <2%
What are the other constituents of steel?
Chromium (0.5 - 1%) - improve tarnish resistance
Manganese - sulphur scavenger Molybdenum, Silicon, Nickel, Cobalt
What are the uses for steel?
cutting instruments
forceps
What is allotropic?
undergoes two solid state phase changes with temperature
What are the two solid state phases that iron has and at what temperatures?
Above 1400°C (Body-Centered Cubic - BCC structure):
Iron has a BCC lattice structure, which is less accommodating for carbon atoms. Hence, iron has low carbon solubility at this temperature, holding only about 0.05% carbon.
Between 900°C and 1400°C (Face-Centered Cubic - FCC structure):
Iron transitions to an FCC lattice structure, which has higher carbon solubility due to more space within the lattice. This structure can hold up to 2% carbon.
Below 900°C (BCC structure):
Iron reverts back to a BCC structure similar to the one above 1400°C, again with low carbon solubility (0.05%).
What are the different phases of Fe-C?
Austenite
FCC, high temp (>720°C), moderate carbon solubility
Ferrite
BCC, low temp, very low carbon solubility, soft
Cementite (Fe₃C)
Iron carbide, low temp, hard and brittle
Pearlite
Eutectoid mix of ferrite and cementite, forms <727°C, balanced strength
What is an alloy?
TWO metals that form a COMMON LATTICE structure
- are SOLUBLE in one another
- form a SOLID SOLUTION
What are the types of substitional solid solution?
random
ordered
What is the interstitial solid phase of Fe C?
Why is it important?
Carbon atoms occupy interstitial spaces within the iron lattice.
Iron Phase: Occurs in the austenite (FCC) phase, allowing carbon to dissolve in iron.
Effect: Increases hardness and strength of iron-based alloys (like steel) by distorting the lattice.
What does quenching of auestenite form?
martensite
(not supersaturated austenite solution?
What is quenching?
rapid cooling process
Increases hardness and strength by “locking in” high-energy, unstable structures.
Reduces ductility, making the metal more brittle.
What is the structure of martensite?
- No time for diffusion of Carbon
- Distorted Lattice
- Hard, Brittle
What does slow cooling of austenite form?
pearlite
(ferrite, cementite)
How can martensite be formed into pearlite?
tempering
What is tempering?
- heating (450) followed by quenching
- temperature and duration affect conversion to ferrite (soft, ductile) and cementite (hard, brittle)
- control over mechanical properties through heat treatment
- versatile alloy
What is the composition of stainless steel?
Fe, C, Cr, Ni
What consitutes is steel is stainless?
if Cr is >12%