Abstract: By combining the α/γ interface migration and the carbon diffusion at the interface in Fe-C alloys, a mathematical model is constructed to describe the mixed-control mechanism for proeutectoid ferrite formation from austenite. In this model, theα/γ interface is treated as non-equilibrium interface, i.e., the carbon concentration of austenite at γ/α interface is obtained through theoretical calculation, instead of that assumed as the local equilibrium concentration. For isothermal precipitation of ferrite in Fe-C alloys, the calculated results show that the rate of interface migration decreases monotonically during the whole process, while the rate of carbon diffusion from γ/αinterface into austenite increases to a peak value and then decreases. The process of ferrite growth may be considered as composed of three stages: the period of rapid growth, slow growth and finishing stage. The results also show that the carbon concentration of austenite at γ/αinterface could not reach the thermodynamic equilibrium value even at the last stage of ferrite growth.

Key words: Proeutectoid ferrite precipitation, Non-equilibrium interface...