Heat Treatment

IT and CCT Diagrams

 Content
• IT Diagram
– Eutectoid Composition
– Non-Eutectoid Compositions
– Effect of the Alloying Elements on IT
Diagrams
– Effect of Austenite grain size on IT
Diagrams

• CCT Diagram
– Eutectoid Composition
– Effect of the Alloying Elements on CCT
Diagrams
Superimposition of isothermal and
– Relation Between IT and CCT Diagrams
continuous cooling transformation
diagrams for a eutectoid iron –
carbon alloy.
2
 Transformations & Undercooling
• Eutectoid transf. (Fe-Fe3C system):    + Fe3C
• For transf. to occur, must 0.76 wt% C 6.7 wt% C
cool to below 727ºC 0.022 wt% C
(i.e., must “undercool”)
T(ºC)
1600 Adapted from Fig.
 9.24,Callister & Rethwisch
8e. (Fig. 9.24 adapted from
1400 L Binary Alloy Phase
Diagrams, 2nd ed., Vol. 1,
  +L T.B. Massalski (Ed.-in-
1200 1148ºC L+Fe3C Chief), ASM International,

Fe3C (cementite)
(austenite) Materials Park, OH, 1990.)

1000
 Eutectoid:  +Fe3C
ferrite 800 Equil. Cooling: Ttransf. = 727ºC
727ºC
T  +Fe3C
600
Undercooling by Ttransf. < 727C
0.022

0.76

400
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 6.7
(Fe) C, wt%C
3
Generation of Isothermal Transformation Diagrams

Experimental arrangement for determining the microscopic changes that occur

during the isothermal transformation of austenite in a eutectoid plain-carbon
steel. (Source: W.F. Smith, Structure and Properties of Engineering Alloys,
McGraw-Hill, 1981, p. 14.)
12:59 4
Generation of Isothermal Transformation Diagrams

Experiment for following the microstructural changes that occur during the isothermal
transformation of a eutectoid plain-carbon steel at 705°C. After austenitizing, samples
are quenched in a salt bath at 705°C, held for the times indicated, and then quenched
in water at room temperature.
12:59 5
Generation of Isothermal Transformation Diagrams

For an iron-carbon alloy of eutectoid composition (0.76 wt% C), isothermal

fraction reacted versus the logarithm of time for the austenite-to pearlite
transformation.

6
Generation of Isothermal Transformation Diagrams
• The Fe-Fe3C system, for C0 = 0.76 wt% C
• A transformation temperature of 675ºC.

Demonstration of how an
isothermal transformation diagram
(bottom) is generated from
percentage transformation–
versus– logarithm of time
measurements (top). [Adapted
from H. Boyer, (Editor), Atlas of
Isothermal Transformation and
Cooling Transformation Diagrams,
American Society for Metals, 1977,
p. 369.]

• Effect of temperature: At 540

°C, only about 3 s is required for
the reaction to go to 50%
completion.
7
Austenite-to-Pearlite Isothermal Transformation
• Eutectoid composition, C0 = 0.76 wt% C
• Begin at T > 727ºC
• Rapidly cool to 625ºC
• Hold T (625ºC) constant (isothermal treatment)

Isothermal transformation
diagram for a eutectoid iron–
carbon alloy, with
superimposed isothermal heat
treatment curve (ABCD).
Microstructures before, during,
and after the austenite-to-
pearlite transformation are
shown. [Adapted from H. Boyer
(Editor), Atlas of Isothermal
Transformation and Cooling
Transformation Diagrams,
American Society for Metals,
1977, p. 28.]

8
Austenite-to-Pearlite Isothermal Transformation

• Transformation of austenite to pearlite: Diffusion of C

during transformation
Austenite () cementite (Fe3C)
grain  Ferrite () 
boundary 
 
  
 pearlite 
Adapted from

Fig. 9.15,
 growth
Callister &
Rethwisch 8e. direction  Carbon
diffusion

Coarse pearlite  formed at higher temperatures – relatively soft

Fine pearlite  formed at lower temperatures – relatively hard

9
Austenite-to-Pearlite Isothermal Transformation

Photomicrographs of (a) coarse pearlite and (b) fine pearlite. 3000X

10
Austenite-to-Bainite Isothermal Transformation

Fe3C
(cementite)
(ferrite)

5 m
Adapted from Fig. 10.17, Callister &
Rethwisch 8e. (Fig. 10.17 from Metals
Handbook, 8th ed., Vol. 8, Metallography,
Structures, and Phase Diagrams, American
Society for Metals, Materials Park, OH,
1973.)
• Bainite:
-- elongated Fe3C particles in
-ferrite matrix
-- diffusion controlled
• Isothermal Transf. Diagram,
C0 = 0.76 wt% C 11
Isothermal Transformation Diagram

(a) Microstructure of upper bainite formed by a complete transformation of a

eutectoid steel at 450°C (850°F). (b) Microstructure of lower bainite formed by a
complete transformation of a eutectoid steel at 260°C (500°F). The white particles
are Fe3C, and the dark matrix is ferrite. (Electron micrographs, replica-type;
magnification 15,000×.)

12
Isothermal Transformation Diagram

Isothermal transformation
diagram of a eutectoid steel.

13
 Factors affecting TTT diagram
• Factors:
– Composition of steel- (a) carbon wt%, (b) alloying element wt%
– Grain size of austenite
– Heterogeneity of austenite

• Effect of Carbon :
– Less austenite stability at non-eutectoid compositions, less the
incubation period for the austenite to pearlite transformation, C-
curves shifts towards left side.

• Effect of alloying elements :

– Almost all alloying elements (except, Al, Co, Si) increases the stability
of supercooled austenite and
– Retard both proeutectoid and the pearlitic reaction and
– Shift TTT curves of start to finish to right or higher timing.

14
 Factors affecting TTT diagram

The effect of carbon on the Ms and Mf temperatures for a plain carbon steel.

15
 Factors affecting TTT diagram

Relationship between the Fe-Fe3C phase diagram and the IT diagram for a 0.5
wt. % carbon alloy.
16
 Factors affecting TTT diagram

Isothermal transformation diagram for a 1.13 wt% C iron-carbon alloy: A,

austenite; C, proeutectoid cementite; P, pearlite.
17
 Transformations Involving Non-Eutectoid Compositions

γ=austenite P=pearlite M=martensite

α=ferrite FP=fine pearlite MS=Martensite start temperature
CP=coarse pearlite UB=upper bainite M50=temperature for 50%
LB=lower bainite martensite formation
MF= martensite finish temperature

(a) Fe-Fe3C (b) TTT diagram for (c ) TTT diagram (d) TTT diagram for
metastable phase hypoeutectoid steel for eutectoid steel hypereutectoid steel
diagram

MS

18
 Effect of the Alloying Elements
• 4340 is a 1.8% nickel - chromium – molybdenum steel

The complete isothermal transformation Isothermal transformation diagram for an

diagram for an iron–carbon alloy of eutectoid alloy steel (type 4340): A, austenite; B,
composition: A, austenite; B, bainite; M, bainite; P, pearlite; M, martensite; F,
martensite; P, pearlite. proeutectoid ferrite.
19
 Effect of the Alloying Elements

• Formation of "Bay" in IT Diagram: represent a significant retardation of

transformation at intermediate temperatures.

• Two Hypotheses for Retardation Mechanism:

- Alloying Element-Carbon Cluster Formation Hypothesis
- Impurity Drag Effect
20
Effect of austenite grain size on TTT diagram
Ae3 For finer austenite
γ=austenite
α=ferrite
CP=coarse pearlite
P=pearlite
Ae1 FP=fine pearlite
UB=upper Bainite
α+CP LB=lower Bainite
α+P M=martensite
FP MS=Martensite

Hardness
start temperature
M50=temperature
50% FP + 50% UB at which 50%
UB martensite is
obtained
MF= martensite
Metastable γ finish temperature

MS LB
M50 Metastable γ + M
MF
M
21
 Microstructural Determinations
(a) Rapidly cool to 350 C, hold for 104
s, and quench to room
temperature.

(b) Rapidly cool to 250 C, hold for 100

s, and quench to room
temperature.

(c) Rapidly cool to 650 C hold for 20 s,

rapidly cool to 400C , hold for 103
s, and quench to room
temperature.

22
 Applications of TTT diagrams
• Martempering

• Austempering

• Isothermal Annealing

• Patenting

23
 Austempering

Schematic illustration of (a) Austempering, and (b) conventional quenching

and tempering treatments.

24
 Martempering

(a) Schematic illustration of martempering process. (b) Modified martempering

process

25
Continuous Cooling Transformation diagrams
• In practical situations we follow heat treatments (T-t procedures/cycles) in
which (typically) there are steps involving cooling of the sample.

• Hence, in terms of practical utility TTT curves have a limitation and we

need to draw separate diagrams called Continuous Cooling Transformation
diagrams (CCT), wherein transformation times (also: products &
microstructure) are noted using constant rate cooling treatments.

• CCT diagrams are determined by measuring some physical properties

during continuous cooling.
– Specific volume (dilatometric method) and magnetic permeability.
– Supplemented by metallography and hardness measurement.

26
CCT Diagram of Eutectoid Iron–Carbon Alloy

Superimposition of isothermal
and continuous cooling
transformation diagrams for a
eutectoid iron–carbon alloy.
[Adapted from H. Boyer
(Editor), Atlas of Isothermal
Transformation and Cooling
Transformation Diagrams,
American Society for
Metals,1977, p. 376.]

27
 CCT Diagram

Four specimens of eutectoid steel CCT diagram of eutectoid steel

austenitized at 800 C and cooled at indicating the different cooling
different rates rates.

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CCT Diagram of Eutectoid Iron–Carbon Alloy

Continuous cooling transformation

diagram for a eutectoid iron-carbon
Moderately rapid and slow cooling
alloy and superimposed cooling curves,
curves superimposed on a
demonstrating the dependence of the
continuous cooling transformation
final microstructure on the
diagram for a eutectoid iron-carbon
transformations that occur during
alloy.
cooling.
29
Different cooling rates for eutectoid steel

30
 CCT Diagram of Alloy Steel

Continuous cooling transformation Continuous cooling transformation diagram

diagram for a eutectoid iron-carbon alloy for an alloy steel (type 4340)
31
CCT Diagram of Alloy Steel
• Briefly describe the simplest
continuous cooling heat
treatment procedure that
would be used in converting a
4340 steel from one
microstructure to another.
(a) (Martensite + bainite) to
(ferrite +pearlite)
(b) (Martensite + bainite) to
(martensite +bainite + ferrite)

32
Effect of alloying elements on CCT Diagrams

CCT diagram and microstructures of a Steel containing 0.37% C, 0.36% Si, 0.85% Mn,
1.44% Ni, and 0.02% Mo

33
Effect of alloying elements on CCT Diagrams

CCT diagram and microstructures of a Steel containing 0.37% C, 0.36% Si, 0.84% Mn,
1.40% Ni, and 0.47% Mo

34
Effect of alloying elements on CCT Diagrams

CCT diagram
and
microstructures
of a Steel
containing
0.37% C, 0.36%
Si, 0.85% Mn,
1.44% Ni, and
0.02% Mo

CCT diagram
and
microstructures
of a Steel
containing
0.37% C, 0.36%
Si, 0.84% Mn,
1.40% Ni, and
0.47% Mo

35
 Presentation of CCT Diagrams
• Equivalent Cooling Curve: The two cooling curves are considered
equivalent if:

1. the times to cool from Ae3 to 500°C are same.

2. the times to cool from Ae3 to a temperature halfway between Ae3

and room temperature , are same.

3. the cooling rates are same.

4. the instant cooling rates at 700°C are same.

• Therefore to make it useful different types of CCT diagrams need to

be made following any one of the above schedule that matches
with heat treatment cooling schedule.

36
The CCT diagrams relating microstructure to bar diameter

CT diagram for plain carbon steel containing 0.38% C and 0.70% Mn. Transformation
and microstructures are plotted as a function of bar diameter.
37
 The CT diagrams relating microstructure to bar diameter

CT diagram for plain carbon steel containing CT diagram for an alloy steel with 0.40% C,
0.38% C and 0.70% Mn. 1.50% Ni, 1.20% Cr, and 0.30% Mo,.

38