Institute of Metals Division - Constitution of Fe C Mo Alloys Containing 0.05 - 1.3 pct C and 0.03 - 6.0 pct Mo

Based on metallographic and X-ray data probable equilibrium conditions from 1340" to 2400°F are presented for the composition range investigated. These are correlated with investigations of Takei and Kuo. Provision is made for existence of Mo, C and (Fe, Mo)2,C, carbides heretofore omitted in diagrams in this composition range. These carbides and (Fe, Mo),C, in equilibrium with ferrite and austenite, restrict the austenite and austenite + ferrite fields to lower carbon contents and higher temperatures than in the Fe-C system. OK groups of steel of different molybdenum content, but with approximately the same carbon variation in each group, Table I, were studied. The alloys were melted in an acid-lined 30-lb high-frequency induction furnace, and the ingots forged to l-in. rounds, which were then ground to 0.75-in. diam. To minimize chemical segregations a short length of each bar was given a high-temperature heat treatment as listed in Table I. Specimens 0.062 to 0.125-in. thick were thereafter cut from the homogenized bars for heat treatment to determine phase changes in the alloy. Heat treatments were performed in either a lead bath or muffle-type electric furnace, depending upon the temperature required. Maximum temperature variation was * 2" F in the lead bath and * 5"F up to 1900°F and +8"F above 1900°F in the electric furnace. Adequate protection of the specimen from the oxidizing atmosphere in the electric furnace was obtained by sealing the specimen in either a pyrex or a silica capsule which was evacuated or not as circumstances required. For austenitizing followed by quenching to an isothermal temperature, the specimen was placed in a closed-end refractory tube the mouth of which, extending beyond the furnace, was connected to a vacuum pump. The specimen could be withdrawn from this tube and quenched as desired. IDENTIFICATION OF PHASES The principal method of identification of phases was metallographic examination conducted on surfaces well removed from exposure to lead or atmosphere effects during heat treatment. Hardness measurements (Dph/lOkg) were also made on these surfaces. The etching reagents used and their effects are listed in Table II. Martensite and ferrite were readily recognized by their customary appearance after etching with saturated picral or 1 pct nital. The presence of liquid at high temperature was indicated by curved interfaces characteristic of boundaries between solid and melt, by intergranular pools of dendritic areas in a carbide matrix, and by a black network coincident with austenite grain boundaries. Examples of these structures are shown in Figs. l(a) and (0). The types of carbide which were attacked by the electrolytic chromic acid etch and the alkaline KMnO, etch, Table 11, were identified by X-ray analyses of extracted carbides of five alloys. Carbide residue was obtained from a metallographic specimen by etching the specimen for 24 hr in hydrochloric-picric acid in alcohol (grain-size reagent), after which the carbides, standing in relief, were scraped from the surface of the specimen and mounted on a glass slide. Diffraction patterns were obtained with a Philips spectrometer using iron-filtered cobalt radiation. Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 illustrate typical etching behaviors with chromic acid and alkaline KMnO,. Chromic acid attacked Mo,C as shown in Figs. 2(a) and (b)-but not (Fe, Mo),C, Fig. 3(b). Alkaline KMnO, attacked (Fe, Mo),C, Fig. 3(c), and also attacked M0,C. In accordance with these behaviors, a typical differentiation of coexisting Mo,C and (Fe, Mo),~ is shown in Figs. 4(a) and (b). The carbide (Fe, Mo),,C, could not be obtained free of other coexisting carbides for etching experiments. The behavior. however. of coexisting carbides identified by x-ray diffraction as Mo,C ind (Fe, Mo),,C, indicate that (Fe, Mo)23C6 is not etched by chromic