Nonequilibrium phases in rapidly quenched Fe-Al-C ternary alloys

Abstract

Nonequilibrium phases of austenite(Y), ordered austenite (γ′) and hcp epsilon (e) have been found in Fe-Al-C ternary alloys quenched rapidly from the melt. The formation ranges of these single phases are 2 to 6 pct Al and 1.8 to 2.1 pct C for the 7 phase, 6 to 12 pct Al and 1.7 to 2.1 pct C for the γ′ phase and 2 to 5 pct Al and above 4 pct C for the e phase. The lattice parameter varies from 0.361 to 0.365 nm for the γ phase and from 0.361 to 0.367 nm for the γ′ phase with increasing carbon and aluminum contents and is abouta = 0.264 nm andc = 0.434 nm for the e phase. Among these non-equilibrium phases, the austenite is so ductile that no crack is observed even after closely contacted bending test. The austenite phase has fine subgrains of 0.1 to 0.4 μm diam and the Vickers hardness, yield strength and tensile fracture strength are about 360 DPN, 940 MPa and 995 MPa, respectively, for Fe-4.0 pct Al-2.0 pct C alloy. Thus, due to relatively high hardness and strength combined with good ductility, the nonequilibrium austenite found in Fe-Al-C system is attractive as high-strength materials whose useful dimensions may be limited by critical rapid cooling rates.