Spheroidization Kinetics of Eutectoid Plain Carbon Steels
Mentor 1
Benjamin Church
Start Date
16-4-2021 12:00 AM
Description
Spheroidite is a microstructure of steel alloys which consists of sphere-like cementite (Fe3C) particles within a ferrite matrix. This microstructure can be achieved through appropriate heat treatment of bainitic, martensitic, and pearlitic steels. Producing spheroidite is a diffusion dependent process and is characterized by its long heat treatment times. The long processing times are detrimental to industrial producers in that they coincide with increased processing costs. A deeper understanding of the spheroidite heat treating process can therefore help in minimizing processing costs. In this study, various isothermal heat treatments were carried out at varying times and temperatures to track the progression of the formation of spheroidite of a 1074 steel. The samples were then prepared and characterized by their percentage of spheroidite formed. Using a series of data analysis techniques, it was possible to find the activation energy for the transformation into spheroidite. Using the activation energy, several assumptions were made about the kinetics of the spheroidite process that allow for a better prediction of the times necessary to complete this heat treatment in a minimum amount of time.
Spheroidization Kinetics of Eutectoid Plain Carbon Steels
Spheroidite is a microstructure of steel alloys which consists of sphere-like cementite (Fe3C) particles within a ferrite matrix. This microstructure can be achieved through appropriate heat treatment of bainitic, martensitic, and pearlitic steels. Producing spheroidite is a diffusion dependent process and is characterized by its long heat treatment times. The long processing times are detrimental to industrial producers in that they coincide with increased processing costs. A deeper understanding of the spheroidite heat treating process can therefore help in minimizing processing costs. In this study, various isothermal heat treatments were carried out at varying times and temperatures to track the progression of the formation of spheroidite of a 1074 steel. The samples were then prepared and characterized by their percentage of spheroidite formed. Using a series of data analysis techniques, it was possible to find the activation energy for the transformation into spheroidite. Using the activation energy, several assumptions were made about the kinetics of the spheroidite process that allow for a better prediction of the times necessary to complete this heat treatment in a minimum amount of time.
