Phase Equilibria in the Carbide Region of Iron–Carbon Phase Diagram

The main evolution stages of the phase diagram of Fe–C in the carbide region (on the right from the cementite line) is a recently discussed theoretical topic that has been considered. It has been determined that previously isolated ε-Fe₂C, χ-Fe₅C₂, and g-Fe₇C₃ carbides (except for cementite Θ-Fe₃C) are nonstoichiometric compounds. Thus, they are variable composition phases containing stoichiometric composition or second-type interstitial solid solutions based on daltonides and berthollides. It has been stated that the iron–cementite phase diagram can be identified as the iron–ε-Fe₂C carbide phase diagram in the concentration range of 0–9.7% C. The following phase transformations are introduced to the diagram: reaction of nonvariant syntectic equilibrium of cementite Θ-Fe₃C crystallization; reaction of peritectic equilibrium of carbide χ-Fe₅C₂ crystallization; low-temperature peritectoid transformation of carbide, at which solid solutions of ferrite and cementite form solid solution possessing broad homogeneity range based on ε-carbide Fe₂C berthollide. It has been shown that the carbide phases represent a uniform isomorphous quasi-carbide solid solution, while the carbide phase crystallizes in the form of the carbide phase mixture as quasi-eutectics.