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Capítulo 06

Diagrama Hierro Carbono

 Diagrama de fase hierro-carbono
• En su forma más simple, los aceros son
aleaciones de hierro (Fe) y carbono (C).
• El diagrama de fase de Fe-C es bastante
complejo, pero solo consideraremos la parte de
acero y hierro fundido del diagrama, hasta un
6,67% de carbono.
Diagrama de equilibrio Fe - C
 ©2003 Brooks/Cole, a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license.

Figure 12.33 The iron-carbon phase diagram showing the relationship between the
stable iron-graphite equilibria (solid lines) and the metastable iron-cementite
reactions (dashed lines).
5
Fases observadas en el diagrama Fe-C
Fases observadas en las fases Fe-C :
• Ferrita
• Austenita
• Cementita
• δ-ferrita

Y mezclas de fases
• Perlita
• Ledeburita
• Diagrama -
Fases observadas en el diagrama Fe-C
1. Ferrita
La ferrita es la solución sólida intersticial de carbono en hierro alfa. Tiene B.C.C. Estructura. Tiene una solubilidad
muy limitada para el carbón (máximo 0.022% a 727 ° C y 0.008% a temperatura ambiente). La ferrita es blanda y dúctil.
2. Austenita
La austenita es la solución sólida intersticial de carbono en hierro gamma (γ). Tiene estructura FCC. La austenita puede
tener un máximo de 2,14% de carbono a 1143 ° C. La austenita normalmente no es estable a temperatura ambiente. La
austenita no es magnética y es blanda.
3. Cementita
La cementita o carburo de hierro (Fe3C) es un compuesto intermetálico de hierro y carbono. Contiene 6,67% de
carbono. Es muy duro y quebradizo. Este compuesto intermetálico es una fase metaestable y permanece como
compuesto indefinidamente a temperatura ambiente.
4. δ-ferrita
Es una solución sólida de carbono en δ-hierro. Es estable a altas temperaturas. Tiene Estructura BCC.
 Phase Mixtures Observed in Fe-C Diagram
• 1. Pearlite
The pearlite consists of alternate layers of ferrite and
cementite. It has properties somewhere between ferrite and
cementite. The average carbon content in pearlite is 0.76%
• 2. Ledeburite
Ledeburite is an eutetcic mixture of austenite and cementite
in the form of alternate layers. The average carbon content in
ledeburite is 4.3%.
 A few comments on Fe–C
system
• Carbon occupies interstitial positions in Fe. It forms a solid
solution with α, γ, δ phases of iron
• Maximum solubility in BCC α-ferrite is limited (max. 0.025 %
at 727 °C) as BCC has relatively small interstitial positions
• Maximum solubility in FCC austenite is 2.14 % at 1147 °C as
FCC has larger interstitial positions
 A few comments on Fe–C
system
• Mechanical properties
– Cementite is very hard and brittle - can strengthen
steels.
– Mechanical properties depend on the
microstructure, that is, amount and distribution of
ferrite and cementite.
• Magnetic properties: α -ferrite is magnetic
below 768 °C, austenite is non-magnetic
 Fe-C
Alloys
• Fe-C alloys can be of two types.
1. Steels
Steels are alloys of iron and carbon containing up
to 2.14% C. Other alloying elements may also be
present in steels.
2. Cast irons
Cast irons are alloys of iron and carbon
containing more than 2.14% C. Other alloying
Important Reactions in Fe-C System
• There are three important reactions
taking place in Fe-C system

1. Eutectic reaction

2. Eutectoid reaction
Important Reactions in Fe-C System
• Eutectic reaction
• Eutectic: 4.30 wt% C, 1147 °C
• L (4.30% C) ↔ γ (2.14% C) + Fe3C

• Eutectoid reaction
• Eutectoid: 0.76 wt%C, 727 °C
• γ(0.76% C) ↔ α (0.022% C) + Fe3C

• Peritectic Reaction
• Peritectic: 0.16% C, 14930 C
Important Reactions in Fe–C System

Peritectic: 0.16% C, 14930 C

δ(0.11% C) + L(0.51)%C ↔ γ (0.16%C)

Eutectic: 4.30 wt% C, 1147 °C

L (4.30% C) ↔ γ (2.14% C) + Fe3C

Eutectoid: 0.76 wt%C, 727 °C

γ(0.76% C) ↔ α (0.022% C) + Fe3C
 Eutectic Reaction
• Eutectic reaction:
at 4.30 % C and 1147 °C
L (4.30% C) ↔ γ (2.14% C) + Fe3C
• In eutectic reaction, the liquid solidifies as a phase
mixture of austenite (containing 2.14% C) and
cementite. This phase mixture is known as ledeburite.
• The average carbon content in ledeburite is 4.30%.
• The eutectic reaction occurs at a constant
temperature. This is known as eutectic temperature
 Eutectoid Reaction
• Eutectoid reaction:
at 0.76 %C and 727 °C
γ(0.76% C) ↔ α (0.022% C) + Fe3C
• In eutectoid reaction, the austenite transforms into a phase
mixture of ferrite (containing 0.76% C) and cementite. This
phase mixture is known as pearlite.
• The average carbon content in pearlite is 0.76%.
• The eutectoid reaction occurs at a constant temperature.
This is known as eutectoid temperature and is 727°C.
• Eutectoid reaction is very important in heat treatment of
steels.
Microstructure of Eutectoid
Steel
In the micrograph, the dark areas are Pearlite nucleates at austenite grain
Fe3C layers, the light phase is α- ferrite boundaries and grows into the grain
 Pearlite Formation
Pearlite nucleates at austenite grain boundaries and grows into the grain

Growth direction
 Peritectic Reaction
• Peritectic reaction:
at 0.16% C and 14930 C
δ(0.11% C) + L(0.51%C) ↔ γ (0.16%C)
• In peritectic reaction, the liquid and δ iron
transforms into austenite (containing 0.16%
C).
• The peritectic reaction occurs at a constant
temperature. This is known as peritectic
Development of Microstructure in Iron -
Carbon alloys
 Iron-Carbon (Fe-C) Phase Diagram
• 2 important points T(°C)
1600 Adapted from Fig. 10.28,
1. Eutectic (A): 1400 L
Callister & Rethwisch 3e.

L + Fe3C 1200 +L
1148°C AA L+Fe3C
(austenite

(cementite)
2. Eutectoid (B): 1000 )
+Fe3C
+ Fe3C 800 B

Fe3C
727°C = Teutectoid
600
+Fe3C
400 6
2 3 4 5
120 m
0
(Fe) 0.761 4.30
6.7
Result: Pearlite is
and Fe3C phases
Fe3C (cementite-
alternating layers C, wt% C
of hard) (ferrite-soft)
20
Microstructure of Eutectoid
steel
• In eutectoid
steel, pearlite is formed
at eutectoid
temperature.
• The austenite gets
converted into pearlite
which is a mechanical
mixture of ferrite and
cementite..
•
 Microstructure of Eutectoid
Steel
• When alloy of eutectoid composition (0.76 wt % C) is cooled slowly it forms pearlite, a
lamellar or layered
 structure of two phases: α-ferrite and cementite (Fe
3C).
• The layers of alternating phases in pearlite are formed for the same reason as layered
structure of eutectic structures: redistribution of C atoms between ferrite (0.022 wt%) and
cementite (6.7 wt%) by atomic diffusion.

• Mechanically, pearlite has properties intermediate to soft, ductile ferrite and hard, brittle
cementite.
Microstructure of Hypoeutectoid Steel
Compositions to the left of eutectoid (0.022 -
0.76 wt % C) is hypoeutectoid (less than
eutectoid) alloys. Microstructure change is
γ→α+γ→α+P
1.First ferrite is formed when temperature
comes down below Ae3 temperature.
γ→α+γ
2.The amount of ferrite increases with
decrease in temperature till eutectoid
temperature.
3.Remaining austenite changes to pearlite at
eutectoid temperature.
α+γ→α+P
Microstructure
T(°C)
of Hypoeutectoid Steel
1600 Adapted from Figs. 10.28 and 10.33

1400 L
+L (Fe-C System)
1200 1148°C L+Fe3C
(austenite

(cementite)
1000 )
+ Fe3C
800 727°C

Fe3C
600 + Fe3C
4000 6
1 2 3 4 5
(Fe)C
0.7

0
6

pearlite 6.7
C,
100 wt%Hypoeutectoi
C
m d steel

pearlite proeutectoid
Adapted from Fig. 10.34, Callister & Rethwisch 3e.
ferrite 24
Microstructure of Hypoeutectoid
Steel
Hypoeutectoid steels contain proeutectoid ferrite (formed
above the eutectoid temperature) plus the pearlite that
contains eutectoid ferrite and cementite.
Relative amounts of proeutectoid phase (α or
Fe3C) and pearlite?
• Relative amounts of
proeutectoid phase (α or Fe3C)
and pearlite can be calculated
by the lever rule with tie line
that extends from the
eutectoid composition (0.76 %
C) to α – (α + Fe3C) boundary
(0.022 % C) for hypoeutectoid
alloys and to (α + Fe3C) – Fe3C
boundary (6.7 % C) for
hypereutectoid alloys.
• Fraction of total α phase is
determined by application of
the lever rule across the entire
Example for hypereutectoid alloy with
composition C1
Fraction of pearlite: WP = X / (V+X) = (6.7 – C1) / (6.7 – 0.76)
Fraction of proeutectoid cementite: WFe3C = V / (V+X) = (C1 – 0.76) / (6.7 – 0.76)
 Amount of Phases in Hypoeutectoid Steel
T(°C)
1600
1400 L
+L (Fe-C
1200 L+Fe3C
1148°C System)
(austenite

(cementite)
1000 )
+ Fe3 C
W = s/(r
727°C

Fe3C
800 r s
+ s) W =(1
600 R S + Fe3C
-W)
pearlite
400 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
(Fe)C C, wt% C
0.7

Wpearlite =
0
6

W ’ = S/(R + S) 100 Hypoeutectoi

WFe3C=(1 – W ’ m d steel

) pearlite proeutectoid
Adapted from Fig. 10.34, Callister & Rethwisch 3e.
ferrite 28
Microstructure of Hypereutectoid Steel
Compositions to the right of eutectoid (0.76 -
2.14 wt % C) is hypereutectoid (more than
eutectoid) alloys.
γ → γ + Fe3C → P + Fe3C
1.First cementite is formed when
temperature comes down below Acm
temperature.
γ → γ + Fe3C
2.The amount of cementite increases with
decrease in temperature till eutectoid
temperature.
3.Remaining austenite changes to pearlite
at eutectoid temperature.
γ + Fe3C → P + Fe3C
 Microstructure
T(°C)
of Hypereutectoid Steel
1600
1400 L
+L
1200 1148°C L+Fe3C
(austenite)

(cementite)
1000
+Fe3C
Fe3C
800

Fe3C
600
+Fe3C
4000 6
3 4 5
0.7

(Fe) 1 C0 2
6

pearlite 6.7
C, mwt%C
Hypereutectoid
60
steel
pearlite
proeutectoid Fe3C
Adapted from Fig. 10.37, Callister & Rethwisch 3e.
30
Microstructure of hypereutectoid steel
 Amounts of
T(°C)
Phases Hypereutectoid Steel
1600
1400 L
Fe3C +L
1200 1148°C L+Fe3C
(austenite)

(cementite)
1000
+Fe3C
W =x/(v +
x) 800 v x

Fe3C
WFe3C =(1-W )
V
X
pearlite600 +Fe3C
4000 2 3 4 5 6
0.7

(Fe) 1 C0
6

Wpearlite= W W 6.7
C, wt%C
Hypereutectoid
= X/(V + X) 60 m
WFe3C’ =(1 - W ) steel
pearlite
proeutectoid Fe3C
Adapted from Fig. 10.37, Callister & Rethwisch 3e.
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 Example Problem Steel

For a 99.6 wt% Fe-0.40 wt% C steel at a

temperature just below the eutectoid,
determine the following:
a) The compositions of Fe3C and ferrite (
).
b) The amount of cementite (in grams) that
forms in 100 g of steel.
c) The amounts of pearlite and proeutectoid
ferrite ( ) in the 100 g. 33
 Solution to Problem
a) Use RS tie line just below
Eutectoid
1600
C = 0.022 wt
%C 1400 L
T(°C) +L
CFe3C = 6.70 wt% C 1148°C L+Fe3C

(cementite)
1200
(austenite)
1000
b) Use lever R rule with
C0 C + Fe3C
WFe CFe C C
3
the C tieR
line Sshown 800

Fe3C
3 727°C
R S
0.40 0.022 0.057 600
+ Fe3C
6.70 0.022
4000 1 2 3 5 6 6.7
Amount of Fe3C in 100 g C C0 CFe3C
4
= (100 g)WFe3C C, wt% C
= (100 g)(0.057) = 5.7
g
34
 Solution to Problem
c) Using the VX tie line just above the
eutectoid and realizing that
C0 = 0.40 wt% C
1600
C = 0.022 wt% C
1400 L
Cpearlite = C = 0.76 wt% T(°C) +L
V C0 C 1148°C L+Fe3C
WC
pearlite V X C C 1200
(austenite)
0.40 0.022 1000
0.512 + Fe3C
0.76 0.022 800

Fe3C
727°C
VX
600 + Fe3C
Amount of pearlite in 100
g = (100 pearlite 400 2 3 5 6 6.7
= (100 g)(0.512) = 51.2 0
g)W C C0 C
g 1 4
C, wt% C
35
 Summary
Fe – C Diagram
• Fe – C diagram is useful to determine:

- the number and types of phases,

- the wt% of each phase,
- and the composition of each phase
for a given T and composition of the steel or cast iron.

36
 Alloying Steel With More Elements
• Teutectoid changes: • Ceutectoid changes:

Ceutectoid (wt
Ti Si
TEutectoid

Mo W Ni
Cr
Cr

% C)
Si Mn
(°C)

Ti Mo W
Mn
Ni
wt. % of alloying elements
wt. % of alloying Adapted from Fig. 10.39,Callister & Rethwisch 3e.
(Fig. 10.39 from Edgar C. Bain, Functions of the
elements Alloying Elements in Steel, American Society for
Metals, 1939, p. 127.)
Adapted from Fig. 10.38,Callister & Rethwisch 3e.
(Fig. 10.38 from Edgar C. Bain, Functions of the
Alloying Elements in Steel, American Society for
37
Metals, 1939, p. 127.)
 39

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