Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Intergranular embrittlement of iron-carbon alloys by impurities

  • Published:
Metallurgical transactions Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It is shown that plain Fe-C alloys can be embrittled by certain heat treatments if they are doped with Sb, Sn, As or P. Embrittlement occurs when these elements are rejected from precipitating carbides during cooling, and it results from a piling-up of the elements ahead of the carbide and the concomitant lowering of cohesion along the carbide-ferrite interface. It is a transient (non-equilibrium) condition and disappears upon continued holding at elevated temperatures. Embrittlement by equilibrium segregation of these impurities in unalloyed ferrite apparently does not occur. A model for this transient embrittlement is proposed and tested. This model is relevant to the phenomenon of “500°F” embrittlement in alloy steels, and it is also consistent with most aspects of temper embrittlement.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. J. R. Low, Jr.: inFracture of Engineering Materials, p. 127, ASM, 1964.

  2. C. J. McMahon, Jr.: inTemper Embrittlement of Steel, p. 127, ASTM STP 407, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1968.

    Google Scholar 

  3. J. M. Capus:Rev. Met., 1959, vol. 56, p. 181.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. E. B. Kula and A. A. Anctil:J. Mater. ASTM, 1969, vol. 4, p. 817.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. H. R. Tipler: International Conference on the Properties of Creep Resistant Steels, Dusseldorf, May 1972.

  6. M. A. Grossman:Trans. AIME, 1946, vol. 167, p. 39.

    Google Scholar 

  7. J. H. Bucher, G. W. Powell, and J. W. Spretnak:Applications of Fracture Toughness Parameters to Structural Metals, p. 323, H. D. Greenberg, ed., Gordon and Breach, New York, 1966.

    Google Scholar 

  8. K. Balajiva, R. M. Cook, and D. K. Worn:Nature, 1956, vol. 178, p. 433.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. W. Steven and K. Balajiva:J.Iron Steel Inst., 1959, vol. 193,p. 141.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. J. R. Low, Jr., D. F. Stein, A. M. Turkalo, and R. P. Laforce:Trans. TMS- AIME, 1968, vol. 242 p. 14.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. B. J. Schulz and C. J. McMahon, Jr.:Temper Embrittlement of Alloy Steels, p. 104, ASTM STP 499, ASTM, Philadelphia, 1972.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  12. D. F. Stein, A. Joshi, and R. P. Laforce:Trans. ASM, 1969, vol. 62, p. 776.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. H. L. Marcus and P. W. Palmberg:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1969, vol. 245, p. 1664.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. R. Viswanathan:Met. Trans., 1971, vol. 2, p. 809.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. H. Ohtani, H. C. Feng, and C. J. McMahon, Jr.:Met. Trans., 1974, vol. 5, p. 516.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. C. L. Smith and J. R. Low, Jr.:Met. Trans., 1974, vol. 5, p. 279.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. M. Guttmann, P. R. Krahe, F. Abel, G. Amsel, M. Brunhaux, and C. Cohen:Scripta Met., 1971, vol. 5, p. 479.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. A. Preece and R. D. Carter:J. Iron Steel Inst., 1953, vol. 173, p. 387.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. G. Vidal:Rev. Met., 1945, vol. 42, p. 149.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. L. D. Jaffe and D. C. Buffam:Trans. AIME, 1949, vol. 180, p. 513.

    Google Scholar 

  21. B. J. Schulz: Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1972.

  22. A. E. Powers:Trans. ASM, 1956, vol. 48, p. 149.

    Google Scholar 

  23. R. O. Ritchie and J. F. Knott:Proc. of Conference on Mechanics and Mechanisms of Crack Growth, Cambridge. British Steel Corp. Physical Metallurgy Centre, Moorgate, Rotherham, 1973, paper no. 12.

    Google Scholar 

  24. R. L. Rickett and J.M. Hodge:Proc. ASTM, 1951, vol. 51, p. 931.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. J. M. Capus:J. Iron Steel Inst., 1963, vol. 201, p. 53.

    Google Scholar 

  26. L. J. Klingler, W. J. Bamett, R. P. Frohmberg, and A. R. Troiano:Trans. ASM, 1954, vol. 46, p. 1557.

    Google Scholar 

  27. B. S. Lement, B. L. Averbach, and M. Cohen:Trans. ASM, 1954, vol. 46, p. 851.

    Google Scholar 

  28. K. Kuo:J. Iron Steel Inst., 1953, vol. 173, p. 363.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. P. A. Restaino and C. J. McMahon, Jr.:Trans. ASM, 1967, vol. 60, p. 699.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. C. J. McMahon, Jr., J. R. Rellick, and B. J. Schulz: inFracture 1969, P. L. Pratt, ed., Chapman and Hall, London, 1969, p. 278.

    Google Scholar 

  31. J. R. Rellick: Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Pennsylvania, 1972.

  32. C. J. McMahon, Jr. and M. Cohen:Acta Met., 1965, vol. 13, p. 591.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. H. Hanemann and A. Schrader:Atlas Metallographicus, vol. 1, p. 86, Verlag von Gebruder Borntraeger, Berlin, 1933.

    Google Scholar 

  34. G. A. Bruggeman:Diffusion Data, 1968, vol. 2, p. 286.

    Google Scholar 

  35. M. Hansen and K. Anderko:Constitution of Binary Alloys, 2nd Edition, McGraw-Hill, New York, 1958; R. P. Elliot, First Supplement 1965; F. A. Shunk, Second Supplement, 1969.

    Google Scholar 

  36. H. I. Aaronson, H. A. Domian, and G. M. Pound:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1966, vol. 236, p. 768.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. D. E. Coates:Met. Trans., 1972, vol. 3, p. 1203.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. J. B. Gilmour, G. R. Purdy, and J. S. Kirkaldy:Ibid, p. 1455.

  39. M. Hillert: inThe Mechanism of Phase Transformations in Crystalline Solids, 1969, Inst. of Metals Monograph No. 33, p. 231.

  40. H. I. Aaronson and H. A. Domian:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1966, vol. 236, p. 781.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. G. R. Purdy, D. H. Weichert, and J. S. Kirkaldy:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1964, vol. 230, p. 1025

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  42. M. L. Picklesimer, D. L. McElroy, T. M. Kegley, Jr., E. E. Stansbury, and J. H. Frye, Jr.:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1960, vol. 218, p. 473.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  43. A. Hultgren:Kungl. Svenska Vetenskapsakademiens Handlingar, Fjarde Serien., Band 4, no. 3, 1953.

  44. R. W. Heckel and H. W. Paxton:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1960, vol. 218, p. 799.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. L. S. Darken:Trans. TMS-AIME, 1961, vol. 221, p. 654.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. M. Nageswararao, C. J. McMahon, Jr., and H. Herman:Met. Trans., 1974, vol. 5, p. 1061.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. C. Zener:J. Appl. Phys., 1949, vol. 20, p. 950.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. J. Chipman:Met. Trans., 1972, vol. 3, p. 55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. P. L. Gruzin and V. V. Minal:Ft. Met. Metalov., 1963, vol. 16, no. 4, p. 551.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  50. K. Kuo and A. Hultgren:Jemkontorets Ann., 1951, vol. 135, p. 452.

    Google Scholar 

  51. H. R. Tipler: N.P.L., Teddington, Middlesex, U. K. unpublished work.

  52. R. Bruscato:Weld. J. Res. Suppl., 1970, vol. 49, p. 148-S.

    Google Scholar 

  53. G. A. Bruggeman and E. B. Kula: Private Communication.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Experimental Station, E. I. DuPont Co., 19898, Wilmington, Del.

    J. B. Rellick (Research Metallurgist)

  2. Dept. of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Pennsylvania, 19174, Philadelphia, Pa.

    C. J. McMahon (Professor)

Authors
  1. J. B. Rellick
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. J. McMahon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

J.R. RELLICK, formerly Research Fellow, Department of Metallurgy and Materials Science, University of Pennsylvania

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rellick, J.B., McMahon, C.J. Intergranular embrittlement of iron-carbon alloys by impurities. Metall Trans 5, 2439–2450 (1974). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02644027

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02644027

Keywords

Search

Navigation