Metallographic diagram of 50 steel (quenched and tempered)

1000WordMetallographicReportof50Steel

Introduction

This Metallographic Report is to explain the microscopic features of a sample of 50 Steel with the specific reference of metal grain size. As steel is an alloy of iron, the microstructuralcharacters should include a large quantity of ferrite and/or pearlite, along with other components.

Metallographic Procedure

The sample was prepared using the following processes:

-The sample was sectioned using a cutting saw;

-The sample was then polished using standard metallographic techniques;

-The sample was finally etched using standard metallographic techniques.

Metallographic Performance

The resulting metallographic image (Figure 1) reveals a structure containing a large quantity of ferrite and pearlite. The steel grain size is approximately 8-10 microns in diameter. Thesteel is also full of small inclusions, including some non-metallic particles and some sulfur compounds, which are visible in Figure 2.

The ferrite and pearlite are both displayed in Figure 3, showing itself to be in the needle-like form and Widmanstatten type respectively. The banding of the pearlite growth is present, and due to the variation in temperature along the length of the sample the bands are not uniform.

Figure 1: Metallographic Image of 50 Steel

Figure 2: The small Particles and Material Inclusions

Figure 3: Ferrite and Pearlite

Conclusion

Overall, the steel sample is of good quality, showing mostly just ferrite and pearlite and few other material inclusions. The grain size is approximately 8-10 microns in diameter and the cross sections clearly reveal the Widmanstätten ferrite and pearlitesections.

The sample preparation techniques used in this Metallographic Report are typical for such type of steel. The processing techniques and etching techniques used will ensure the quality and accuracy of the resulting images. Being a low alloy steel, the microstructure exhibits mostly ferrite and pearlite, which was seen in the microscope image.

In conclusion, the 50 steel used in this Metallographic Report is of high quality with little inclusions present. The grain size is approximately 8-10 microns in diameter and the ferrite and pearlite present in the sample. The metallographic metholdogy used produced an accurate image that reveals the microstructure of the steel.

This microstructure of a microalloyed 50 steel (TM50) corresponding to the ferrite-austenite phase diagram is presented. TM50 steel is a low alloy steel with Ni, Nb and Ti as alloying elements and microalloying elements to enhance its strength and toughness.

The microstructure consists of ferrite grains, martensite and a small amount of austenite. The ferrite grains are characterictically lamellar and have fine grains, which ranges from about 0.01 to 0.2 mm in diameter. The average grain size is approximately 0.08 mm. The ferrite grains are in equilibrium with austenite, which is present at a low percentage of around 5%. The austenite forms thin veins among the ferrite grains which are pinned by the alloying element particles. The martensite is in the form of a narrow band around the austenite and may be related to the stress-assisted transformation from austenite to martensite.

The microalloyed elements are present in the form of fine particles, which are mostly enriched in the grain boundaries. The alloying elements play an important role in controlling the precipitation and strengthening of the steel. The alloy elements are also used to refine the grain size, thereby increasing the ductility and toughness of the steel.

In conclusion, this microstructure of the TM50 steel is characteristic of the ferrite-austenite phase diagram. The microalloying elements are evenly distributed and act as pinning sites to prevent grain growth and promote ductility and toughness in the steel.