AnalysisofCarbon–iron(Fe–Fe3C)PhaseDiagram.doc

Analysis of Carbon–iron (Fe–Fe3C) Phase Diagram 1. Experimental Objects 1) Observe the microstructures in carbon- iron alloys；2) Analyse the forming process of iron-carbon alloys 2. Introduction 1) About the microscopy magnified and inverted Fig 1 Principle of Optical Microscopy With optical microscopy, the light microscope is used to study the microstructure; optical and illumination systems are its basic elements. For materials that are opaque to visible light, only the surface is subject to observation, and the light microscope must be used in a reflecting mode. Contrasts in the image produced result from differences in reflectivity of the various regions of the microstructure. Investigations of this type are often termed metallographic, since metals were first examined using this technique. Normally, careful and meticulous surface preparations are necessary to reveal the important details of the microstructure. The specimen surface must first be ground and polished to a smooth and mirrorlike finish. This is accomplished by using successively finer abrasive papers and powders. The microstructure is revealed by a surfacetreatment using an appropriate chemical reagent in a procedure termed etching. The chemical reactivity of the grains of some single-phase materials depends on crystallographic orientation. Consequently, in a polycrystalline specimen, etching characteristics vary from grain to grain. Also, small grooves form along grain boundaries as a consequence of etching. Since atoms along grain boundary regions are more chemically active, they dissolve at a greater rate than those within the grains. These grooves become discernible when 1 viewed under a microscope because they reflect light at an angle different from that of the grains themselves.When the microstructure of a two-phase alloy is to be examined, an etchant is often chosen that produces a different texture for each phase so that the different phases may be distinguished from each other.