Dislocations in FCC and BCC iron due to C interstitials

  • Thread starter Thread starter memo_juentes
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Fcc Iron
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the differing strengthening effects of interstitial carbon in FCC (Face-Centered Cubic) and BCC (Body-Centered Cubic) iron alloys. It is established that FCC iron, with its higher slip systems, generally allows for greater plastic deformation compared to BCC iron. The presence of carbon in FCC results in a more significant increase in yield strength due to its higher solubility limit (2.0%) compared to BCC, which can only absorb 0.02%. Consequently, carbon interstitials impede dislocation movement more effectively in FCC, leading to enhanced material strength.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of FCC and BCC crystal structures
  • Knowledge of dislocation theory in materials science
  • Familiarity with solid solution strengthening mechanisms
  • Basic principles of plastic deformation in metals
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the role of interstitial solid solutions in strengthening mechanisms
  • Study the differences in slip systems between FCC and BCC metals
  • Explore the effects of carbon content on the mechanical properties of ferritic and austenitic steels
  • Investigate the critical resolved shear stress in different crystal structures
USEFUL FOR

Materials scientists, metallurgists, and engineers involved in the development and optimization of iron alloys, particularly those focusing on the effects of carbon on mechanical properties.

memo_juentes
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
I was just wondering why is it that the strengthening effect of interstitial carbon is different in FCC and BCC iron alloys. I can't figure this one out on my own so I thought I'd come to the place where the smart people hang out.

Any opinions?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
What I meant to ask was which one would result in a more strengthened iron, C interstitials on BCC or FCC?
 
memo_juentes said:
What I meant to ask was which one would result in a more strengthened iron, C interstitials on BCC or FCC?

I'm pretty sure that ferritic steels have higher yield stresses than austenitic steels anyway, so adding C would only increase it.
 
"Plastic deformation proceeds in metals by a process known as 'slip', that is, by one layer or plane of atoms gliding over another (the motion of the dislocations).
All metals of similar crystal structure slip on the same crystallographic planes and in the same crystallographic directions. Slip occurs when the shear stress resolved along these planes reaches a certain value —the critical resolved shear stress.
This is a property of the material and does not depend upon the structure. The process of slip is facilitated by
the presence of the metallic bond, since there is no need to break direct bonds between individual atoms as there is in co-valent or electro-valent structures." (Higgins, 1993)

The carbon effect
The carbon form an intertitial solid solution with Fe. These carbon in the solution tend to impede or stop the movement of the dislocation, so that a higher stress is required to allow the movement of dislocations, i.e., plastically deform the metal.

So, if the phase austenite has a higher solubility limit for carbon (2.0%), it will be more resistant.
Frequently ferrite phase is compared with Fe pure, cause it can absorb only 0.02%.
And solid solutions are stronger than pure metals.
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
5K
Replies
12
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
546
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
18
Views
5K