Chapter10PhaseTransformations.pptVIP

* * * * * * * * * * * * Actual processes involves cooling – not isothermal Can’t cool at infinite speed * * * * * * * * * * WHY STUDY PHASE TRANSFORMATION? The development of a set of desirable mechanical characteristics for a material often results from a phase transformation. That is wrought by heat-treatment. It is important to design a proper heat-treatment to get the desired room-temperature mechanical properties of an alloy. Is it possible to develop other microstructural elements than pearlite for iron-carbon alloys? Chapter 10: Phase Transformations * Phase transformation may be wrought in metal alloy systems by varying temperature, composition, and the external pressure. Temperature changes by means of heat-treatments are most conveniently utilized to induce phase transformations. This corresponds to crossing a phase boundary on the composition-temperature phase diagram as an alloy of a given temperature is heated or cooled. One limitation of phase diagrams is their inability to indicate the time period required for the attainment of equilibrium. Equilibrium conditions are maintained only if heating or cooling is carried out at extremely slow and unpractical rates. Phase Transformations * Why it is important to study the influence of time on phase transformation? How does the rate of transformation depend on time and temperature? For other than equilibrium cooling, transformations are shifted to lower temperatures than indicated by the phase diagram. Supercooling: the shift to lower temperatures for cooling Superheating: the shift to higher temperatures for heating THE INFLUENCE OF TIME Fe g (Austenite) Eutectoid transformation C FCC Fe3C (cementite) a (ferrite) + (BCC) Transforming one phase into another takes time Transformations Undercooling * ? For transf. to occur, must cool to below 727oC (i.e., must “undercool”) ? Eutectoid transf. (Fe-Fe3C system): g T a + Fe3C 0.76 wt% C 0.022 wt% C 6.7 wt% C Fe3C (cementite)