Effect of carbon on the critical cooling rate of high-purity iron-carbon alloys and plain carbon steels

Abstract

This report describes the preparation of a series of high-purity iron-carbon alloys and two series of plain carbon steels, the members of each series differing only in carbon content. Determinations of the austenitic grain size and critical cooling rates show how carbon affects the hardening properties and p ermit comparison of the harden ability of these alloys and steels. CONTENTS Page I. Introduction _______________ _______________________ _____________ 571 II. Preparation of materials _________ _________ ____ __ __ ___ ____ _____ ___ 572 1. Iron-carbon alloys ____________________ ____ ___ _____ ________ 572 2. Carbon steels _____ _________ ______ _______________ ___ ______ 574 III. Microscopic examination __ ___ ________ ___________________________ _ 575 I V. Chemical composition _____________________________________ ___ ___ 576 V. Austenitic grain size ___ _____ _______________________________ ____ __ 577 VI. Critical cooling rate ___ _____ _______ __ ___________ ___ __________ __ __ 578 VII. Summary ______ _______________ ____ ____________________________ _ 585