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Phase transformations and phase equilibria in the Fe-N system at temperatures below 573 K

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Abstract

The phase transformations of homogeneous Fe-N alloys of nitrogen contents from 10 to 26 at. pct were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction analysis upon aging in the temperature range from 373 to 473 K. It was found that precipitation of α″-Fe16N2 below 443 K does not only occur upon aging of supersaturated α (ferrite) and α′ (martensite), but also upon transformation of γ′-Fe4N1-z and ɛ-Fe2N1-x (<20 at. pct N). No α″ was observed to develop upon aging of γ(austenite). Therefore, it is proposed that γ′ is a stable phase at temperatures down to (at least) 373 K. Phase formation upon annealing at low temperatures is apparently governed by the (difficult) nucleation and (slow) growth of new Fe-N phases: α″ forms as a precursor for α because of slow nitrogen diffusion, and nitrogen-enriched ɛ develops as a precursor for γ′ because of a nucleation barrier.

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Author notes

  1. S. Malinov (Postdoctoral Staff Member) & M. I. Pekelharing (Researcher, Staff Member)

    Present address: the Laboratory of Materials Science, Delft University of Technology, NL-2628 AL, Delft, The Netherlands

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the School of Civil Engineering, Queens University of Belfast, BT9 5AG, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    S. Malinov (Postdoctoral Staff Member)

  2. the Laboratory of Materials Science, Delft University of Technology, NL-2628 AL, Delft, The Netherlands

    A. J. Böttger (Assistant Professor) & E. J. Mittemeijer (Professor)

  3. the Max Planck Institute for Metals Research, D-70174, Stuttgart, Germany

    E. J. Mittemeijer (Professor)

  4. Chemical Science Department, Netherlands National Research Council (NWO), 2593 BM, Den Haag, The Netherlands

    M. I. Pekelharing (Researcher, Staff Member)

  5. IPT Materials Technology, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800, Lyngby, Denmark

    M. A. J. Somers (Professor)

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Malinov, S., Böttger, A.J., Mittemeijer, E.J. et al. Phase transformations and phase equilibria in the Fe-N system at temperatures below 573 K. Metall Mater Trans A 32, 59–73 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-001-0102-1

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