Selection of cementite variants precipitated under magnetic field in ferrite matrix of an Fe-C alloy

Abstract

We have studied the influence of magnetic field on precipitation of cementite (Fe3C) using an Fe-0.01C (mass%) alloy. Among twelve variants of cementite formed at 473 K in the ferrite (α-phase) matrix, the fraction of variants with the highest magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy decreases by the application of a magnetic field of 7 T. In addition, the total number of particles of cementite decreases after the application of a magnetic field. These results implies that microstructure of Fe-C alloys can be controlled by magnetic field.