Structure and ductility of eutectic type iron-carbon alloys

Abstract

The ductility of iron-carbon alloys of the eutectic type is governed by the structure of eutectic carbides and it may be increased by two methods. The first envisages formation during prior heat treatment of dislocations in eutectic carbides and creation of subgrain boundaries along which during deformation there is carbide fragmentation. This method, as a result of the specific effect of the metal base on formation of dislocations in carbides and prevention of carbide failure under the action of compressive stresses from the surrounding solid solution, may only be used for alloys in which the carbide phase reinforces a metal matrix. The second method involves a marked increase in carbide ductility as a result of transformation occurring in them under the action of deformation [10]. This method may be used to increase the ductility of cast irons around the eutectic composition with eutectics whose matrix phase is carbide. In this way forming may be accomplished by rolling in the range of rates used in metallurgical production practice.