Effect of carbon on the coefficient of thermal expansion of as-cast Fe−30wt.%Ni−12.5wt.%Co−×C invar alloys

Abstract

The segregation (distribution) of nickel and the composition of its constituents influence the low thermal expansion characteristics (Invar effect) in Fe−30 wt.% Ni−12.5wt.% Co−×C Invar alloy. The change of coefficient of the thermal expansion and magnetic properties were studied as an aspect of carbon addition causing the segregation of Ni in primary austenite of as-cast Fe−30wt.% Ni−12.5wt.% Co Invar alloy. The coefficient of thermal expansion of Fe−30 wt.% Ni−12.5 wt.% Co−×C Invar alloy showed its lowest value at 0.08 wt.% carbon, increased with increasing carbon content in the range of 0.08–1.0 wt.%C, kept constant at 1.0–2.0 wt.%C and decreased at carbon higher than 2.0 wt.%. The effective distribution of the coefficient of nickel in as-cast Fe−30 wt.% Ni−12.5 wt.% Co−×C Invar alloy increased with increasing carbon content. The volume fraction of the γ phase of Fe−30 wt.% Ni−12.5 wt.% Co−×C alloy increased with increasing carbon content. The microstructure of Fe−30 wt.% Ni−12.5 wt.% Co−×C alloy changed with the carbon content was independent of the coefficient of thermal expansion. The Curie temperature changed linearly with the carbon content and was similar to the change of the coefficient of thermal expansion. Moreover, the coefficient of thermal expansion decreased when the ratio of saturation magnetization to Curie temperature (σs/Tc) increased, decreasing the Curie temperature and showed a specific relationship with the magnetic properties of the Fe−30 wt.% Ni−12.5 wt.% Co−×C Invar alloy.