Analytical electron microscope study of the dissolution of the Fe₃C iron carbide phase (cementite) during a graphitisation anneal of carbon steel

Authors: He, K.; Brown, A.; Brydson, R.; Edmonds, D.

Source: Journal of Materials Science, Volume 41, Number 16, August 2006 , pp. 5235-5241(7)

Publisher: Springer

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Abstract:

The evolution of microstructure and composition of the Fe₃C iron carbide phase (cementite) during a graphitisation anneal of a quenched, medium carbon steel has been studied by analytical electron microscopy, including energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) imaging. During heat treatment at 680 °C, dissolution of the cementite particles dispersed in the martensitic matrix was completed within a time period of 1.5 h, during which time graphite nodules began to form. However, a non-graphitic carbon-rich amorphous phase was also detected during this heat treatment. It is postulated that these amorphous particles could be an intermediate stage during the overall graphitisation process.

Keywords: Steels; Carbides; Graphite; Annealing; Analytical electron microscopy; Electron energy loss spectroscopy

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-006-0588-4

Affiliations: 1: Email: d.v.edmonds@leeds.ac.uk

Publication date: 2006-08-01