Growth kinetics of grain boundary ferrite allotriomorphs in Fe-C alloys

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-1-1977

Department

Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Abstract

The kinetics of lengthening and thickening of grain boundary allotriomorphs of proeutectoid ferrite were measured at several temperatures in high purity Fe-C alloys containing 0.11 pct, 0.23 pct and 0.42 pct C. These measurements were conducted by measuring the length of the longest and the width of the widest allotriomorph in each specimen. All specimens were austenitized so as to make the grain boundaries perpendicular to the plane of polish. This measurement technique appreciably reduced the scatter in the parabolic rate constant data previously encountered in thermionic emission microscopy measurements. Parabolic rate constants for lengthening and thickening were calculated, using the experimental aspect ratio, by means of the Atkinson analysis for oblate ellipsoids. The ratio of the measured to the calculated constants was in all cases less than unity. The previously made suggestion that these slow growth kinetics are due to faceting was supported through the observation of facets on allotriomorphs by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The aspect ratio of ferrite allotriomorphs was shown to be ca 1/3, independent of reaction time temperature and carbon content. The dihedral angle of the allotriomorphs was found to be 100±5 deg, as compared with a published angle for recrystallized and equilibrated specimens of ca 115 deg. Several possible explanations for the aspect ratio and dihedral angle findings are considered.

Publication Title

Metallurgical Transactions A

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