Iron-Carbon Crystals
Iron and carbon, the second construction material after Aluminium, forms cubic lattice consisting of one lattice point on each corner of the cube.
Two following types of the cubic crystal system can be shown in iron-carbon crystals:
- Body-centered cubic ( bcc), ferrite
- Face-centered cubic ( fcc), austentite
Carbon atoms are soluble in iron and attempt to move from the surface to the centre of crystals. In another words, bcc is the favorite form of crystal for carbon atoms, which will be formed by lower temperatures.
Carbon steel has a carbon content of less than 2 %wt., whereas cast iron contains 2–3,5%wt. of carbon.
Ductile iron (Gusseisen-molding iron mit Kugekgraphit): is a type of graphite-rich cast iron
A eutectic system is a heterogeneous mixture of substances that melts or solidifies at a single temperature which is like azeotrope temperature. At this temperature, no separation happens through melting or crystallization.
