A
Transformation point: indicates a crystal transformation when
heating or cooling. This transformation consumes or delivers
energy in form of heat, keeping the temperature constant while
transforming. Hence these points are also called breaking-point (Arret). They show a hysteresis, therefore they are additionally annotated by:
c (chauffage=heating) and
r (refroidissement=cooling)
A1
Transformation from ferrite to austenite at 1333°F
A2
Curie-temperature for hypoeutectoidic steel (1414°F)
A3
Boundary temperature of the gamma-crystal area of hypoeutectoidic steel.
Am
Temperature to dissolve the secondary cementite
Alpha-Crystal
See ferrite
Austenite
Gamma-crystal is characterized by a face-centered, cubic, elementary cell
and exists stable above A1. Austenite is non-magnetic.
Austenite can dissolve more carbon than ferrite.
Bainite
Bainite is a micro-structure resulting from isothermal transformation in the cooling process above the martensite-formation temperature and below the perlitic region (See TTT-diagram).
Bainite can form in non-isothermal transformation as well, requiring specific cooling processes.
Cementite
The cementite crystal (Fe3C), also called iron carbide, can segregate as primary or secundary cementite. Cementite has a hardness greater than that of martensite.
Alloying elements other than iron form carbides as well.
Eutectoidic Steel
Eutectoidic steel contains 0.83% of carbon. The gamma-area
expands at this carbon content until A1. Slow cooling will result in perlite only.
Ferrite
Alpha chrystal, characterized by a body-centered, cubic elementary cell,
present at hypoeutectoidic steels below A3.
Ferrite dissolves less carbon than austenite.
forge-welding
Two or more pieces of steel are heated to welding temperature.
Flux is used to prevent the formation of iron scale. By hammer blows
or in a forging press the pieces of steel are brought into tight contact;
the flux is pressed out of the welding zone at the same time. The elevated
temperature and pressure lead to a diffusion weld.
Gamma-Crystal
See austenite
Hardening
Fast cooling from above Ac1 prevents the segregation of cementite. The primary cells are distorted
by the trapped carbon, leading to an increase of hardness. The result–depending on the cooling range–are finest lamellar perlite (sorbite, troostite), bainite or martensite.
heat treatment
heat treatment is used to influence the size and type of the grain structure or the carbides. The variety and effect of heat treatments makes steel so universal.
Hypereutectoidic steel
Steel containing more than 0.83% of carbon. After slow cooling, these steels consist of perlite and secondary cementite.
Hypoeutectoidic steel
Steel containing less than 0.83% of carbon. After slow cooling,
these steels are a composite of ferrite and perlite.
Interstitial Alloying Elements
Interstitial Alloying Elements occupy the interstices of the primary crystal,
increasing the hardness by causing internal tensions. Carbon is the most common interstice atom, followed by nitrogen. At higher temperatures,
diffusion processes cause a fast equalization in concentration.
Iron carbide
See cementit
Iron-Carbon-iron Equilibrium Diagram
The iron-carbon equilibrium diagram displays the transformation temperatures and crystal types present. Alloying elements can significantly alter the
iron-carbon equilibrium diagram.
Ledeburite
Above 1.7% of carbon, ledeburite forms while cooling at 1909°F. Ledeburite is a subassembly of austenite and cementite. Below Ar1, the austenite
transforms into perlite.
Lump
Wrought iron, smelted in an ingot.
Martensite
Hardening structure, resulting from fast cooling to below the martensitic temperature.
(See TTT-diagram)
Martensite Formation Temperature
Temperature below which austenite transforms into martensite.
The martensite formation temperature depends on the substitution elements, interstitial atoms do
not influence this temperature. With plain carbon steels the martensite formation temperature is
360°F (See TTT-diagram).
Mokume Gane
Composite material of diffusion-welded nonferrous and/or precious metals.
Normalizing
Grain-refining heat treatment based on austenite transformation. This "soft" hardening influences the carbide distribution positively (small carbides distributed evenly).
Perlite
Subassembly of ferrite and secondary cementite
Soft Annealing
Heating to and holding steel at just below Ac1 followed by
slow cooling to soften the steel.
Hypereutectoidic steels are soft annealed by oscillating around Ac1
and slow-cooling thereafter. This leads to a globular microstructure, improving the workability.
Substitutional Elements
Substitutional elements occupy lattice position of the primary
cell. They can provoke hardening by causing segregations. Often
these substitutional elements act as carbon binders.
Tempering
Tempering transfers tetragonally deformed martensite into
cubic martensite. At the same time, macroscopic stresses are
relieved, allowing residual austenite to transform.
© 2005 G.v.Tardy