Determination of PLE/NPLE transition boundaries for

proeutectoid ferrite growth in FeCSi system: application to

ferrite growth in spheroidal graphite cast irons
L.N. García1-2, F.D. Carazo1-2
1
CONICET, San Juan, 5400, Argentina
2
Instituto de Mecánica Aplicada, San Juan, 5400, Argentina
e-mail address of corresponding author: lauranoelg@gmail.com
Key words: SG cast irons, stable eutectoid intercritic, partitioning local equilibrium, negligible partitioning local
equilibrium

Ferrite growth in spheroidal graphite (SG) cast irons is In the calculation of transitions temperatures is the
expected to take place down the lower limit of the three- answer to the absence of ferrite growth during the
phase field (Tα), when difference in carbon referenced temperature gap for continuous cooling
concentration between ferrite/austenite and conditions. This should be taken into account in solid-
𝛂/𝛄 𝛂/𝐆 state growth models to get a more accurate description of
ferrite/graphite interfaces (𝑪𝑪 − 𝑪𝑪 ) turns to positive
values [1]. Nevertheless, ones the alloy reaches the upper ferrite growth during continuous cooling in SG cast
limit of the three-phase field (Tαº) it could grow driven irons. In addition, an explanation for the pearlite
by the difference in carbon content between promoting effect of alloying elements is proposed.
austenite/ferrite interface and the corresponding to the
𝛄/𝛂 𝛄
carbon content in austenite far away from it (𝑪𝑪 − 𝑪𝑪 )
𝛄/𝛂 𝛄
[2]. In spite of the presence of 𝑪𝑪 − 𝑪𝑪 at temperatures
lower than Tৠ(Figure 1), no ferrite growth is evidenced
for intermediate temperatures between Tαº and Tα [1]
for continuous cooling.
𝛄/𝛂 𝛄
Carbon flux driven by 𝑪𝑪 − 𝑪𝑪 recalls the one that
rules proeutectoid ferrite in steels. Taking this as a
starting point, ferrite growth in SG cast irons was studied
at austenite in contact with graphite, as it is accepted to
start there [1].
However, unlike steels, in case of SG cast irons,
silicon and alloying elements (Mn and Cu are the more
common ones) develop a segregation profile that is
inherited by austenite; later on this profiles are acquire
by the final microstructure since no diffusion of alloying
elements is expected to take place during solidification
step [1].
Considering the microsegregation profiles measured
by means of microprobe analysis in a previous work [3]
and making use of Thermo-Calc software (TC) for Figure 1: isopleth section of a FeCSi system for 2.5 wt-%Si
𝛄/𝛂 𝛄
calculating carbon at the beginning of solid-state as obtained by means of Thermo-Calc software: 𝑪𝑪 − 𝑪𝑪
transformations, silicon and carbon compositions of 𝛂/𝛄 𝛂/𝐆
and 𝑪𝑪 − 𝑪𝑪 fluxes are indicated, as well as Tαº and Tα
ferrite in contact with graphite, as inherited from parent temperatures
austenite, were determined for ferritic, pearlitic-ferritic
and pearlitic as-cast samples.
References (up to four, please use following format)
Later, isopleth FeCSi isotherm sections were built
[1] Lacaze J., Wilson C. and Bak C. Experimental study
using TC for determining the transition temperatures
of the eutectoid transformation in spheroidal graphite
from –slow– partitioning local equilibrium (PLE) to –
cast iron, Scand. J. Metall., 23 (1994): 151-63.
fast– negligible partitioning local equilibrium (NPLE)
[2] Wessen M. and Svensson I.L., Modeling and
[4]. These constructions were necessary since no data
simulation of ferrite growth in nodular cast iron, Metall.
was available for the temperature range of interest in SG
and Mat. Trans. A., 27A (1996): 2209-20.
cast irons and for the high silicon contents registered at
[3] García L.N., Carazo F.D. and Dardati P.M., The
ferrite in contact with graphite.
transition from stable to metastable system and its
relation with the ferrite halo extension in SG cast irons,
Int. J. Cast Met. Res., (in press),
https://doi.org/10.1080/13640461.2017.1408754.
[4] Coates D.E. Diffusional growth limitation and
hardenability, Metall. Trans., 4 (1973): 2313-25.

Biographical Note

Laura N. García is a PhD student at Instituto de

MecánicaAplicada, Universidad Nacional de San Juan.
The author’sresearch interests are thermodynamics,
phase transformations and nodular cast irons.

Fernando D. Carazo is a professor at Universidad

Nacional deSan Juan and CONICET researcher. The
author’s research interestsare phase transformations and
mechanical properties inmetal alloys.