Diffusion of carbon in iron under magnetic fields

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of investigating the effect of magnetic fields on the carbon diffusion in pure iron. The Fe/Fe-0.87 mass% C diffusion couples prepared by explosive welding were annealed at temperatures from 850 to 1200 K without and with a uniform magnetic field up to 6 T and with a magnetic-field gradient of 45 T/m. We evaluated the carbon diffusivity in iron from the penetration profiles of carbon into iron measured by secondary ionization mass spectroscopy. The diffusivity of carbon in α-Fe decreased under a magnetic field, while it increased by twice under a magnetic-field gradient. © 2011 American Physical Society.