Phase field simulation of eutectoid microstructure during austenite-pearlite phase transformation

Abstract

Pearlitic steel, known for its superior strength, plasticity and wear resistance, is widely used in diverse applications including light rail, spring production, wire manufacturing, high-rise constructions, etc. The pearlite phase transformation involves a complex transformation process of three phases and two interfaces, and its phase transformation process and complex physical nature necessitate further exploration and study. In this work, the austenitic-pearlite transformation in Fe-0.77C wt.% binary alloys and Fe-0.7C-xMn (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3) wt.% ternary alloys were examined by using a CALPHAD-based multicomponent multi-phase-field model. The effects of isothermal transformation temperature, cooling rate, and Mn content on the microstructure evolution during the austenite-pearlite transformation were discussed. Furthermore, the multi-component diffusion is captured by phase-field modeling of the lamellar pearlite growth. The current findings offer a novel perspective for investigating the pearlite microstructure in relation to varied compositions and heat treatment processes.