Ferrite and Perlite Hardening in Copper-Alloyed Steels and Irons

Abstract

The paper presents transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigations of ɛ-copper formation in ferritic grains and perlitic colonies of irons and steels alloyed with copper. It is shown that copper-enriched inclusions substantially differ in size and shape. The most disperse are particles produced by decomposition of α-phase in iron due to oversaturated copper. The size of particles appeared after austenite decomposition is approximately an order of magnitude larger. After the formation of ɛ-copper particles in ɛ-phase, they incorporate both in ferrite and partially in cementite laminas during the formation of lamellar perlite. Fine particles of ɛ-copper locating inside ferritic grains and in ferritic layers in perlite, restrain the dislocation mobility and have an additional hardening effect on iron-carbon alloys.