Chapter 11 Phase Transformations

Definitions and Basic Concepts Material properties depend on the ______________. The microstructure is affected by ____________________. Concepts Phase Transformations in Metals Microstructural and Property Changes in Iron-Carbon Alloys Isothermal transformation diagrams Continuous cooling diagram

Chapter 11 Phase Transformations

Definitions and Basic Concepts (cont.)

Mechanical behavior of iron-carbon alloys Precipitation Hardening Crystallization, Melting, and Glass Transition Phenomena in Polymers

Chapter 11 (continued)
Qualitative Questions 60 Explain the shape of the isothermal phase transformation diagram for plain-carbon steel. Include both nucleation and diffusion concepts in your answer. Describe the microstructure and cooling process followed to form the various two-phase mixtures which can be formed by cooling austenite. Describe the mechanism by which martensite is formed. Compare the cooling programs needed to produce pearlite, bainite, and martensite.

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63 64

Chapter 11 (continued)
Qualitative Questions 65 Explain how alloy steels can be used to make larger parts made of martensite.

66 Explain how and why the strength of steel varies with carbon content and microstructure. 67 Compare constant cooling transformations and isothermal transformations. Consider both the ease and practical significance of the experiments. 69 Compare the strength and toughness of martensite, tempered martensite and bainite. Explain the reason for this. Consider the location of the carbon and the shape of any cementite particles.

Chapter 11 (continued)
Qualitative Questions 70 Describe the process of precipitation hardening and explain why the hardness goes through a maximum value as aging time increases. 71 Describe the concept of the glass transition, and how it relates to the structure of polymers. 72 Describe the factors that affect the melt temperature and glass transition temperature of polymers.

Chapter 11 (continued)
Quantitative Questions 26 Be able to describe how an isothermal transformation diagram is developed, and identify the phases present given a path or heat treatment 27 Be able to describe how an continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram is developed, and identify the phases present given a path or heat treatment

Chapter 11 (continued)
Phase Transformations in Metals Developing the microstructure of either single-phase or two-phase alloys typically involves a phase transformation. Definition: phase transformation - An alteration in the _____________ ____________ of the phases Phase transformations usually do not occur _______________ , but they can.

Chapter 11 (continued)
Phase Transformations in Metals Remember from Chapter 5: Thermodynamics tells us that a phase change will occur. (Phase diagrams deal with equilibrium) Kinetics tells us the _____ at which this will occur, and the way in which the phases are distributed. We need to be aware of ______________ and transformation ______ . (cont.)

Chapter 11 (continued)
Phase Transformations in Metals (cont.)

We are interested in three types of phase transformations: 1 ____________________________ with _________ in the number or composition of the phases. (ex. - solidification, recrystallization, allotropic changes) 2 diffusion-dependent transformations with _________ in number and/or the composition of the phases. (ex. - the eutectoid reaction) 3 ______________________ where a metastable phase is produced. (ex. - martensite formation)

Chapter 11 (continued)
Phase Transformations in Metals (cont.)

Remember the two steps are involved: ___________ of a new phase The formation of small particles of the new phase (maybe several hundred atoms) (remember homogeneous and heterogeneous nucleation mechanisms) ____________ of the new phase. This step requires ________________ to the new phase to occur.

Chapter 11 (continued)
Phase Transformations in Metals Temperature effect on nucleation rate. Note that heterogeneous nucleation _______________ (ie. with less undercooling) Nucleation rates go through a peak.

Figure 11.7

Chapter 11 (continued)
Phase Transformations in Metals __________ has a huge effect on both nucleation and growth. The transformation rate is the _____________________. At high temperature __________________ ___________ because diffusion is fast ______________ (Chapter 6) (cont.)

At low temperature

Chapter 11 (continued)
Phase Transformations in Metals Note the strong peak in the total curve. (cont.)

Figure 11.8

Chapter 11 (continued)
Phase Transformations in Metals (cont.)

The common plot is temperature vs. transformation time.

Figure 11.9

Chapter 11 (continued)
Microstructural and Property Changes in Iron-Carbon Alloys

Isothermal transformation diagrams

The concept is the sudden cooling of a sample from above to below 727 C, where it is then _____________________. Remember the eutectoid reaction

Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

At any fixed temperature, the transformation proceeds as follows. There is a delay in the start for nucleation.

Figure 11.10

Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

This transformation plot is completed at a number of different temperatures. The time at which the transformation ____________ are identified. These are all plotted together as temperature vs. log time. _________________________ are created at different transformation temperatures. The various microstructures are identified on the graph.

Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams
____________ mimics equilibrium cooling. Remember the figures in Chapter 10 were based on slow equilibrium cooling. Slow cooling occurs when the isothermal transformation is completed at a ____________________. When slow cooling is done __________ is formed. At other cooling rates the microstructure changes.

Chapter 11 (continued)
Microstructural and Property Changes in Iron-Carbon Alloys

Isothermal transformation diagrams Pearlite

At T between 540 C and 727 C, pearlite is formed. Two parallel curves start of formation end of formation Figure 11.14

(cont.)

Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

At 540 C the change begins the soonest __________ (remember the total rate curve) The layers in the pearlite are ____ due to a higher nucleation rate and slower diffusion rate. The transformation is much slower at higher T because nucleation is difficult. The layers of pearlite are ________, diffusion is easier.

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams Pearlite structure (cont.)

(a) coarse formed at higher T (b) fine formed at lower T Figure 11.15

Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

Bainite
As lower temperatures are used for the transformation, bainite is formed. You are further from equilibrium cooling. Below 540 C you form bainite, a __________________. Transformations below 540 C is slower because ________ ___________ is difficult.

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams Bainite
Electron microscopy required to see the structure.

(cont.)

Figure 11.17

Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

Bainite
It is important to note that both pearlite and bainite are _______________ of ferrite and cementite. Once any portion of the material transforms to either pearlite or bainite, _______________ to the other without heating to reform ____________.

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

Bainite
The bottom part of the curve is now included.

Figure 11.18

Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

Spheroidite
If either pearlite or bainite are held at a high temperature (below 727 C) for an extended time period (18 to 24 hrs) diffusion occurs. The cementite regions ________________. ___________________ means lower energy.

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

Spheroidite
Pearlite starting to transform into spheroidite.

Figure 11.20

Chapter 11 (continued)
Isothermal transformation diagrams (cont.)

Spheroidite
Completed transformation into spheroidite.

Figure 11.19

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Martensite
Martensite is not on the iron-iron carbide phase diagram. It is not an _____________________. When austenite is very rapidly cooled (quenched) to reasonably low temperatures (< 200 C). Doesnt allow time for diffusion of carbon to occur. A _________________ is formed. This is the ___________ transformation mentioned earlier. Since this is a diffusionless transformation, the change is essentially _______________ .

Chapter 11 (continued)
Martensite (cont.)

The FCC structure transforms to a ____________________ (BCT) structure. BCT is basically a distorted BCC lattice.

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Martensite (cont.)

FCC austenite

BCC ferrite

BCT martensite

The carbon is still an interstitial impurity. It doesn't want to be in the BCC ferrite structure, but is stuck.

Chapter 11 (continued)
Martensite (cont.)

The dark regions are pearlite. The light regions are austenite yet to transform.

Figure 11.22

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Martensite (cont.)

Because of the instantaneous change, martensite appears differently on the ITT diagram. It shows up as a ___________ .

Figure 11.23

Chapter 11 (continued)
Tempered martensite
There is one other two-phase mixture that can be created, called ___________________ . Created when martensite is heated to between 250 and 650 C. ___________________ form within the continuous ferrite matrix.

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Tempered martensite
Structurally similar to spheroidite, but the cementite regions are _______________. Martensite is not an equilibrium phase, but tempered martensite is, because it is a two-phase structure of ferrite and cementite as given on the equilibrium phase diagram.

Figure 11.34

Chapter 11 (continued)

Summary of formation process for iron-iron carbide structures

extended heating

Figure 11.37

Spheroidite ( + Fe3C phases)

extended heating

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Microstructural and Property Changes in Iron-Carbon Alloys A non-eutectoid steel will show an ______________ on the ITT diagram. This is due to the formation of the _____________ phase which precedes the eutectoid reaction Could be ferrite or cementite depending on whether it is a hypo- or hypereutectoid steel Remember this forms above 727 C

Chapter 11 (continued)

Formation of a hypereutectoid steel.

start of formation of primary cementite

Figure 11.16

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Microstructural and Property Changes in Iron-Carbon Alloys An alloy steel can show several effects on the transformation diagram. One of the most important is that alloying can cause a ______________ in the onset of the transformation. This is important as this means it is easier to form martensite.

Chapter 11 (continued)
Transformation diagram for a 4340 alloy steel. Note the large time delay in the changes.

Figure 11.24

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Chapter 11 (continued)
Example Problem 11.2

Chapter 11 (continued)
Example Problem 11.2

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