Phase Diagrams

Phase Diagrams
• System:
A part of the universe under study.

• Variable:
A particular phase exists under various conditions of
temperature, pressure and concentration. These are called
as variables.

• Components:
The elements or compounds which are mixed initially to form
system.
(e.g. Al and Cu system :contains compound of CuAl and CuAl2
and therefore ,all composition can be expressed by the molecular
species of Cu and Al ,hence it is two component system)
A phase is a state of matter with the following characteristics:
• It has the same structure or atomic arrangement
throughout
• It has roughly the same composition and properties
throughout.
• There exists a definite interface between it and its
surroundings or adjoining phases.

Aluminum-  (lighter
Copper
phase)
Alloy

(darker
phase)
Adapted from Fig.
9.0,
Callister 3e.
• In the solid state there are three possible phases:

1.Pure metal.

2.Intermediate alloy phase or compound(e.g. NaCl).

3.Solid solution (ferrite, pearlite, martensite).

• Type of solid solutions:
A. Substitutional solid solution
B. Interstitial soild soltion
5
• Hume-Rothery rules of solid solubility:
• Atomic size factor: If atomic sizes of solute and solvent
differ by less than 15% , it is said to have favorable size
factor for solid solution. Atoms have similar radii forms
easily solid solution.
• Crystal structure factor: Both pure materials have same
crystal structure.
• Chemical affinity factor: Similar or very less
electronegativity (otherwise may form a compound instead).
• Relative valency factor: A metal of higher valency can
dissolve only a small amount of lower valency metal,while
the lower valency metal may have good solubility for higher
valency metal.
 Phase Diagrams
A phase diagram is a graphical representation of the phases
that are present in a material at various temperatures and
pressures and compositions.
• It usually describes the equilibrium conditions
• Sometimes non-equilibrium conditions are also shown
when well known.

 What does phase diagram indicate?

• It indicates the melting/solidification temperatures of the
constituents
• It indicates the compositions of alloys where solidification
begins and the temperature range over which it occurs.
• Solubility of the constituents and phases presents at that
temperature.
 Phase Diagram
Phase diagram for water
 T(°C)
1600

1400 L

  +L
1200 1148°C L+Fe3C
(austenite)

Fe3C (cementite)
1000
  +Fe3C
Eutectoid:
ferrite 800 Equil. Cooling: Ttransf. = 727ºC
727°C
T  +Fe3C
600
Undercooling by Ttransf. < 727C
0.022

0.76

400
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
(Fe) C, wt% C

Iron –Iron carbide diagram

 Gibb’s Phase Rule
Gibb’s phase rule describes the thermodynamic state of a material.
This famous rule is used to determine the number of phases that can
coexist in equilibrium in a given system.
It has the general form: F+P = C + 2
C is the number of components, usually elements or compounds, in
the system.
F is the number of degrees of freedom, or number of variables, such
as temperature, pressure, or composition that are allowed to
change independently without changing the number of phases in
equilibrium.
P is the number of phases present
The constant “2” in the equation implies that both temperature and
pressure are allowed to change.
 Gibb’s Phase Rule
For the triple point of water:
• One component, i.e., water.
• 3 phases present, i.e. vapor, liquid, and solid.
• F + 3 = 1 + 2 = 0, so this is an invariant point on the diagram

Most binary phase diagrams used in materials science are

temperature and composition diagrams at a constant 1
atmosphere of pressure.
The constant pressure will reduce the degrees of freedom from
“2” in Gibb’s equation to “1” for a binary phase diagram
Thus, F +P = C + 1.
Polymorphism: Change in crystal structure observe due to either
change in pressure, temperature or in both. Frequently called as
allotropy.
Polymorphic transformation are classified in two
types on the basis of reversibility of transformation:
• Enanisotropy: Enanisotropic forms are mutually
transformable reversibly at some temperature. This
temperature is called as transition or transformation
temp. or inversion point.(e.g. Fe, Zr, T)

• Monotropy: Monotropic forms are irreversible in

the solid state and can not be transformed one into
other. Monotropic transformation takes place at a
temperature above melting temp.(e.g. P, alumina)
Cooling curve:

 Cooling curve is used to determine phase transition temperature.

 Record temperature of material vs time, as it cools from its molten

state through solidification and finally to RT (at a constant pressure!!!)

 A cooling curve for each composition is constructed and initial and

final phase change temperature are determined these temperature are
used to construct phase diagram.
Pure metals solidifies at a constant temperature which is known
as the freezing temperature.
Cooling curve of binary alloys: Range of
solidification
temperature

Temperature
Liquid
TL
L+S
Ts
Solid

Time

Binary alloys solidifies over a range of temperatures.

The liquidus temperature(TL) is the temperature above which

a material is completely liquid.
The solidus temperature (TS) is the temperature which the
alloy is 100% solid.
 Each nuclei will grow by attraction of atoms from the liquid in to the space lattice
and forms crystal.
 Crystal growth continues in three dimensions.
 Since each nuclei is formed by chance ,the crystal axes are pointed in random
direction and grow in the same direction.
 Finally, as the amount of liquid decreases growth of the crystal will be
obstructed by that of neighbors. This lead to very irregular external shape.
 The crystals found in all commercial metals are commonly called grains.
 the area along where crystals meet called as grain boundaries (GB-Atoms are
irregularly spaced).
Tyes of phase diagram or equilibrium diagram:
Depending on the solubility of one metal into another in liquid and
solid state
Sr Types of Solubility Reaction Examples
No. equilibrium
system
1 Isomorphous Two metal are completely L S Cu-Ni,Au-
System soluble in solid and liquid Ag,Au-
state. Cu,Au-Ni.
2 Eutectic Two metal are completely L Pb-As, Bi-
system soluble in liquid state and Const.temp
S1+S2 Cd, Au-si.
insoluble in solid.

3 Partial Two metal are completely Ag-Cu, Pb-

eutectic soluble in liquid state and sn, Sn-Bi, Si-
system partially soluble in solid state. Al.

4 Peritectic Liquid and solid react L+S1 S2 Fe-C, Pt-Ag,

reaction isothermally to form solid Cu-Zn
solution
Sr Types of Solubility Reaction Examples
No. equilibrium
system
5 Eutectoid One solid is transformed S1 S2+ S3 Cu-Ni,Au-
transformation into two different solids. Ag,Au-
Cu,Au-Ni.
6 Monotectic Two metal are partly soluble L L1+S1 Cu-Pb, Cu-
system in liquid state. Cr, Al-Pb,
Zn-Pb.

7 Layer type Two metal are completely Cu- Mo, Cu-

system insoluble in liquid state and W, Ag-W
in solid state.

8 Peritectoid solids react isothermally to S1+ S2 S3 Ni-Zn, Cu-

reaction form one solid. Sn, Fb-Ni
 Binary Isomorphous Alloy System (C=2)

Isomorphous: Two elements are completely soluble in each other

in solid and liquid state;

 Generally in substitution solid state solution can be formed;

single type of crystal structure at end of solidification.
Step1: Draw the cooling curves for different composition
alloys.
Step 2:Note down the liquidius and solodus temperature.
Step 3:Transfer these temperatures to temperature Vs
composition graph
Step 4: Draw the smooth curve through liquidius and
22
solodus temperature.
T(°C)
160 0

150 0 L (liquid)
u s
u id

B(1250,35)
140 0 li q s
d u
o li
s
130 0 +  
L (FCC solid
120 0 solution)
110 0 A(1100,60)

100 0
0 20 40 60 80 10 0 wt% Ni
 The Lever Rule
Tie line

• The Lever rule gives the weight % of phases in any

two phase regions. Wt fraction of solid phase
= Xs = w0 – w1
ws – w1

Wt fraction of liquid phase

= Xl = ws – w0
In general: ws – w1
• Phase percent = opposite arm of lever x 100 W0 is the weight percentage of the alloy.
total length of the tie line
Ws is the weight percentage within the solid
phase
Wl is the weight percentage in the liquid
phase
 Lever Rule
Calculate the amount of  phase and L phase present in a Cu -
40% Ni alloy at 1250 C
In general:
• Percent  phase = (% Ni in alloy) – (% Ni in L) x 100
% Ni in L - % Ni in 

40  32
weight fraction, %X s  x 100  62 %
45  32
(of solid  phase)

weight fraction, % L  38 %
(of liquid phase)
 Solidification of a Solid-Solution Alloy
• Consider microstuctural T(ºC) L (liquid) L: 35wt%Ni
changes that accompany the
cooling of a C0 = 35 wt% Ni Cu-Ni
system
alloy 130 0 A 
+
L: 35 wt% Ni L
: 46 wt% Ni B
35 46
32 C 43
• Solidification in the solid + liquid D L: 32 wt% Ni
24 36
phase occurs gradually upon cooling
 : 43 wt% Ni
from the liquidus line. 120 0 + E
L L: 24 wt% Ni
• The composition of the solid and
the liquid change gradually during  : 36 wt% Ni
cooling (B→C→D, as can be
(solid)
determined by the tie-line method.)
• Nuclei of the solid phase form and
they grow to consume all the liquid 110 020 3 0 35 40 50
at the solidus line. wt% Ni
Adapted from Fig. 9.4, C0
Callister & Rethwisch 8e. 26
Solidification of a Solid-Solution Alloy
The change in structure
and composition of a Cu-
40% Ni alloy during
equilibrium solidification
showing that the liquid
contains 40% Ni and the
first solid contains Cu-52%
Ni. At 1250 ˚C,
solidification has advanced
and the phase diagram tells
us that the liquid contains
32% Ni and the solid
contains 45% Ni, which
continues until just below
the solidus, all of the solid
contains 40% Ni, which is
achieved through diffusion.
 Eutectic system
• Two metal are completely soluble in liquid state and insoluble
in solid.
• This system is known as eutectic system.
• Binary eutectic is homogenous mixture of two solids which
forms at constant temperature during cooing and melts at
constant temperature during heating.

L S1+S2
Const. temp
• The temperature at which this transformation occurs is called
eutectic temperature and is the lowest temperature of
transformation in the system.
 Cooling curve for binary eutectic alloys:

A
 From A to B, the alloy is in liquid
L
state.
L+S1+S2
Temp

B C
S1+S2
 Freezing starts at B and simultaneously
two solids S1 and S2 starts separating
D out from liquid. This continues up to C.

 The alloy gets completely solidifided

Time at C and gives the mixture of S1 and S2.
 Cooling curve for binary off eutectic alloys:
Eutectic transformation occurs for
A definite composition called as eutectic
L composition.
 If the composition of alloy differ from this,
Temp

B
L+S1or S2 it is called off-eutectic alloy.
Off eutectic alloys are of either
L+S1+S2
C hypoeutectic or hypereutectic type.
D S1+S2
Hypoeutectic alloys have compositions less
than the eutectic composition while
E hypereutectic alloys have compositions
more than the eutectic composition.
Time
• From A to B, the alloys is in the liquid state.
• Freezing starts at B & either solid 1 or solid 2 separates out from the liquid
depending on whether the alloy is hypoeutectic or hypereutectic. This
continues up to C.
• The remaining liquid state at C solidifies at constant temperature and forms a
mixture of S1 & S2.This eutectic transformation starts at C & ends at D. The
alloy completely solidifies at D & there is no change from D to E.
 Eutectic system
• The phase diagram displays a simple binary system composed of two components,
A and B, which has a eutectic point.
• The phase diagram plots relative concentrations of A and B along the X-axis, and
temperature along the Y-axis. The eutectic point is the point where the liquid phase
borders directly on the solid α + β phase; it represents the minimum melting
temperature of any possible A B alloy.
• The temperature that corresponds to this point is known as the eutectic temperature.
• Not all binary system alloys have a eutectic point: those that form a solid solution at
all concentrations, such as the gold-silver system, have no eutectic. An alloy system
that has a eutectic is often referred to as a eutectic system, or eutectic alloy.
• Solid products of a eutectic transformation can often be identified by their lamellar
structure, as opposed to the dendritic structures commonly seen in non-eutectic
solidification. The same conditions that force the material to form lamellae can
instead form an amorphous solid if pushed to an extreme.
 T0
Temp.

TE
Eutectic mixture
Eutectic composition:
• As it cools from temperature T0 ,it remains a uniform liquid solution until
point E.
• At this temp. liquid completely transform into solid. This liquid will solidify
into a mixture of two phases.
• These phases are always the ones that appear at either end of the horizontal
eutectic temp. line in this case point C which is the pure metal A and point
d ,the pure metal B.
• Let us assume that a small amount of pure metal A is solidified. This leaves
the remaining liquid richer in B, the liquid composition has shifted slightly to
the right. To restore the liquid composition to its equilibrium value, B will
solidify. If slightly too much B is solidified, the liquid composition will have
shifted to the left, requiring A to solidify to restore equilibrium. Therefore at
constant temperature, the liquid solidifies alternately pure A and pure B,
resulting in an extremely fine mixture usually visible only under the
microscope.
 Lamellar Eutectic Structure

Adapted from Figs. 9.14 & 9.15, Callister &

Rethwisch 8e.

35
 T0

L
T1 primary A or
Proeutectic A
Temp. T2

TE TE

Eutectic mixture

70A-30B 50A-50B
primary A or
Proeutectic A

80A-20B
• Alloy2,a hypoeutectic alloy composed of 80A-20B,remains a uniform liquid
solution until the line, temperature T1,is reached. At this point the liquid L1,is
saturated in A, and as the temperature is dropped slightly, the excess A must
solidify.
• The liquid, by depositing crystals of pure A, must become richer in B. Applying
rule I at temperature T2 shows the solid phase to be pure A and the liquid
composition L2 as 70A-30B.
• This phase separated before so called as pro eutectic phase.
• The amount which has solidified up to this temp.(T1) would be found by ,Lever
rule.

Phases Liquid Solid A

composition 70A-30B 100A
Relative amount 67 33

• Similarly, when alloy reaches at eutectic line ,the liquid is at point E. The
condition existing just a fraction of a degree at TE are:
Phases Liquid Solid A
composition 40A-60B 100A
Relative amount 33 67
• The microstructure would appear as shown in figure .The remaining liquid
(33%), having reached at eutectic point, now solidifies into the fine
intimate mixture of A and B as described under eutectic alloy.
• When solidified, the alloy consist of 67% of proeutectic A. and 33%
eutectic (A+B) mixture.
• Every alloy to the left of the eutectic point E, when solidified , will consist
of grain of proeutectic A and eutectic mixture.
• The closer the alloy composition is to the eutectic composition, the
more eutectic mixture will be present in the solidified alloy or vice versa.
 Partial eutectic system
• Two metal are completely soluble in liquid state and partially
soluble in solid state
• e.g Ag-Cu, Pb-Sn, Sn-Bi, Si-Al.

TB
Eutectic mixture
TA
Solidus
Solidus

F E G

Temp solvus solvus

α+ eutectic β + eutectic

Wt %B
Phase diagram of Lead(Pb) and Tin(Sn):

T(ºC)

300
L (liquid)
 L + 
200 183ºC L +  
18.3 61.9 97.8

100
 + 
2
1
0 20 60 80 100
C, wt% Sn
 Microstructural Developments
in Partial Eutectic Systems I
• For alloys for which T(ºC) L: C0 wt% Sn
400
C0 =1 wt% Sn L

• Result: at room temperature 300 L
-- polycrystalline with grains of
 phase having L+ 

composition 1% 200
TE : 1 wt% Sn 18.3
(Pb-Sn
System)

100
+

0 10 20 30
C0 C , wt% Sn
2
(room T solubility limit)
Adapted from Fig. 9.11,
Callister & Rethwisch 8e. 41
 Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic
• For alloys for which
Systems
T(ºC)
II L: C0 wt% Sn
400
2 wt% Sn < C1 < 18.3 wt% Sn L
• Result: L
300 
at temperatures in  +  range L+
-- polycrystalline with  grains : C1 wt% Sn

and small -phase particles 200
TE


100
+  Pb-Sn
system
Adapted from Fig. 9.12, 0 10 20 30
Callister & Rethwisch 8e. 2 C1 C , wt% Sn
(sol. limit at T room ) 18.3
(sol. limit at TE)
42
Microstructures in Eutectic Systems - III
Pb-Sn
• For alloys with18.3 wt% Sn < C0 < 61.9 wt% Sn system
• Result:  phase particles and a eutectic microconstituent
• Just above TE :
T(°C) L: C0 wt% Sn L
L  C = 18.3 wt% Sn
300 L 
CL = 61.9 wt% Sn
L+ CL - C0
 W = = 0.50
 L+ 
CL - C
200
TE
 WL = (1- W  ) = 0.50
• Just below TE :
100 + C = 18.3 wt% Sn
  Primary α 
eutectic  C = 97.8 wt% Sn
eutectic   Cβ - C0
W =
Cβ - C = 0.727
0 20 40 60 80 100
18.3 61.9 97.8 
C, wt% Sn W = 0.273 wt% Sn 43

 Microstructural Developments
in Eutectic Systems IV
• For alloy of composition C0 = CE
• Result: Eutectic microstructure (lamellar structure)
-- alternating layers (lamellae) of  and  phases.
Micrograph of Pb-Sn
T(ºC) eutectic
L: C0 wt% Sn microstructure
300 L
Pb-Sn
system
L+ 
200  183ºC L 
TE

100 160 m
 : 97.8 wt% Sn
Adapted from Fig. 9.14,
: 18.3 wt%Sn Callister & Rethwisch 8e.

0 20 40 60 80 100
18.3 CE 97.8
Adapted from Fig. 9.13, 61.9 C, wt% Sn 44
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
 Hypoeutectic & Hypereutectic
300
L
Adapted from Fig. 9.8, T(ºC)
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.  L+ 
(Fig. 10.8 adapted from
200 L+  (Pb-Sn
TE
Binary Phase Diagrams, 2nd
ed., Vol. 3, T.B. Massalski + System)
(Editor-in-Chief), ASM 100
International, Materials Park,
OH, 1990.)

0 20 40 60 80 100 C, wt% Sn
eutectic
Hypoeutectic 61.9 hypereutectic
(Figs. 9.14 and 9.17
from Metals
eutectic: C0 = 61.9 wt% Sn
Handbook, 9th ed.,
Vol. 9, Metallography
 
and Microstructures,  
American Society for    
Metals, Materials Park,  
OH, 1985.)
 
175 m 160 m
Adapted from eutectic micro-constituent Adapted from Fig. 9.17,
Fig. 9.17, Callister & Adapted from Fig. 9.14, Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
Rethwisch 8e. Callister & Rethwisch 8e. (Illustration only) 45
 EX 1: Pb-Sn Eutectic System
• For a 40 wt% Sn-60 wt% Pb alloy at 150ºC, determine:
-- the phases present Pb-Sn
Answer: +  T(ºC) system
-- the phase compositions
300
Answer: C = 11 wt% Sn L (liquid)
C = 99 wt% Sn
-- the relative amount  L+ 
200 183ºC L+ 
of each phase 18.3 61.9 97.8
Answer: 150
S C - C0 R S
W = =  100
 R+S C - C +
99 - 40 59
= = = 0.67
99 - 11 88 0 11 20 40 60 80 99100
C0 - C C C0 C, wt% Sn C
W = R =
 R+S C - C  Adapted from Fig. 9.8, Callister
& Rethwisch 8e.
40 - 11 29
= = = 0.33 46
99 - 11 88
 EX 2: Pb-Sn Eutectic System
• For a 40 wt% Sn-60 wt% Pb alloy at 220ºC, determine:
-- the phases present: Pb-Sn
Answer: + L T(ºC) system
-- the phase compositions
300
Answer: C = 17 wt% Sn L (liquid)
CL = 46 wt% Sn L+ 
-- the relative amount 220 
200 R S L+ 
of each phase 183ºC
Answer:
CL - C0 100
46 - 40 +
W = =
C L - C 46 - 17
6 0 17 20 40 46 60 80 100
= = 0.21
29 C C0 CL C, wt% Sn
Adapted from Fig. 9.8, Callister
C0 - C 23 & Rethwisch 8e.
WL = = = 0.79
CL - C 29 47
Layer type system:
• Two metal are completely insoluble in liquid state and in solid state.

• e.g. Cu- Mo, Cu-W, Ag-W

Liquid A+ Liquid B
2
D G
Temp.

Solid A+ Liquid B
3
C F

Solid A+ Liquid B
A 4
B

Wt % B
Peritectic transformation

 In this transformation ,a liquid reacts with solid and forms a new solid at
constant temperature during cooling.

 Peritetic transformation can be expressed as

Const.Temp
Liquid + solid A solid B
 e.g. Fe-C, Pt-Ag, Cu-Zn

Wt%B
Eutectoid transformation

 It is a solid state transformation in which, one solid decomposes into two

different solids at constant temperature during cooling.

 Eutectoid transformation can be expressed as

Const.Temp
solid A solid B + Solid C
 e.g. Fe-C, Cu-Ni, Au-Ag, Au-Cu, Au-Ni.
Peritectoid transformation

 It is a solid state transformation in which, two different solids react with

each other and form third solid at constant temperature during cooling.

 Peritectoid transformation can be expressed as

Const.Temp
solid A + solid B solid C
 e.g. Ni-Zn, Cu-Sn, Fb-Ni
Ex.1.Two metals A and B having melting points of 800˚C and
1000˚C respectively, form eutectic alloy at 500˚C , with an eutectic
composition of 65% B and 35%A . The solid solubility of B in A
are 12% at 500˚ and 6% at room temperature. The solid solubility
of A in B are 10% at 500˚ and 5% at room temperature .Draw
complete phase diagram and label all the fields. Determine the
number ,type, composition and relative amount of phases present,
at room temp, for an alloy of 30%B and 70%A.

Ex.2. Melting point of lead is 327 ˚C and that of tin is 232 ˚C

.They form an eutectic of 62% tin at 183 ˚C .At this temperature
maximum solid solubility of tin in lead is 19% and that of lead in
tin is 3%.Assuming liquidus and solidus lines are straight ,draw the
phase diagram and lable all the region. Also find the freezing range
for the 40% tin and 60% lead alloy.
Non equilibrium cooling:

 Cooling of alloys with the rates that does not permit to attain
the change in structure as per the equilibrium diagram. Most
time this implies that fast cooing of alloys.
 Non equilibrium cooling results in change or modification of
structure resulting change of properties.
 Variation in composition is observed from point to point or
center to surface of grain or dendrites in solidified alloy at room
temperature.
 This micro segregation is known as coring.
 Solidification of a Solid-Solution Alloy
• Consider microstuctural T(ºC) L (liquid) L: 35wt%Ni
changes that accompany the
cooling of a C0 = 35 wt% Ni Cu-Ni
system
alloy 130 0 A 
+
L: 35 wt% Ni L
: 46 wt% Ni B
35 46
32 C 43
• Solidification in the solid + liquid D L: 32 wt% Ni
24 36
phase occurs gradually upon cooling
 : 43 wt% Ni
from the liquidus line. 120 0 + E
L L: 24 wt% Ni
• The composition of the solid and
the liquid change gradually during  : 36 wt% Ni
cooling (B→C→D, as can be
(solid)
determined by the tie-line method.)
• Nuclei of the solid phase form and
they grow to consume all the liquid 110 020 3 0 35 40 50
at the solidus line. wt% Ni
Adapted from Fig. 9.4,
C0
54
Callister & Rethwisch 8e.
 Non equilibrium cooling:
• 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: • Fast rate of cooling:
Equilibrium structure Cored structure
Uniform C:
35 wt% Ni First  to solidify:
46 wt% Ni
Last  to solidify:
< 35 wt% Ni

55
 Microsegregation can cause hot shortness which is the melting
of the material below the melting point of the equilibrium
solidus.
 Corning increases brittleness
 Coring increases susceptibility to corrosion.
 Coring gives non uniform mechanical and chemical
properties.

Eliminations of drawbacks:
Homogenization, which involves heating the material just below
the non-equilibrium solidus and holding it there for a few
hours, reduces the micro segregation by enabling diffusion to
bring the composition back to equilibrium.
 Unit-2
In this unit we are going to study:

 Allotropy of Iron

 Iron-iron carbide diagram

 Solidification and microstructure of slow cool

steels

 Non equilibrium cooling steels

In this unit we are going to study:

 Alloy steels
 Advantages of alloy steels
 Effect of alloying elements on mechanical
properties of steel
 Tool steels
 Stainless steels
 Cast irons
 Designation of steels and cast iron
What is steel?
Steel is a interstitial solid solution of
iron and carbon containing 0.008 to
2% carbon by weight
Pure Iron
• Pure Iron is referred to as Pig iron or Ingot Iron.
• Obtained from blast furnace
• Also contains small traces of Mn, P,S and Si
• It is allotropic metal.
• Allotropy of iron is referred as polymorphism.
Allotropy of Iron
•Iron are alloys with less than
0.008 wt% of carbon

•Steels are carbon-iron alloys

with carbon in the range
0.008 wt.% to2.14%.

• Cast irons contain 2.14 –

6.7wt% of carbon

• Iron and carbons combined

to form Fe-Fe 3 C at the
6.67 % C end of the diagram.

• Eutectoid: 0.76 wt%C, 727°C

γ ⇔ α(0.022wt%C)+Fe 3 C

• Eutectic: 4.30 wt%C, 1147°C

L ⇔ γ (2.14 wt%C)+Fe 3 C
 Phases in Steel

Properties of α-ferrite
Soft and ductile phase
Ferromagnetic upto curie temperature(7680C)

Tensile Strength 40,000psi

Elongation 40% (2in GL)
Hardness 80 BHN
Toughness Low
 Phases in Steel

Microstructure of α-ferrite
 Phases in Steel

Properties of Austenite
Soft and ductile phase
Non magnetic
It can be extensively worked at the temperature
of its existence.

Tensile Strength 1,50,000psi

Elongation 10% (2in GL)
Hardness Rc 40
Toughness High
 Phases in Steel

Microstructure of Austenite
 Phases in Steel

δ-ferrite
Interstitial solid solution of carbon dissolve in δ-iron having
BCC structure.
Maximum solubility of carbon in δ-iron is 0.1% (at 14920C)
Stable only above 14000C
 Phases in Steel

Iron Carbide (Cementite)

Intemetallic compound of iron and carbon with fixed carbon
content of 6.67% and having orthorhombic structure.
Chemical formula Fe3C
Metastable phase
 Phases in Steel

Properties of Iron Carbide

(Cementite)
Extremely hard and brittle phase
Ferromagnetic upto 2100C

Tensile Strength 5000psi

Elongation 1%
Hardness 900-1200 VHN
Toughness Very Low
Compressive Strength Very High