Question: 6. Decarburization is the decrease of the carbon content of (the surface of) a steel due to interactions with the environment at elevated temperatures.

6. Decarburization is the decrease of the carbon content of (the surface

 

6. Decarburization is the decrease of the carbon content of (the surface of) a steel due to interactions with the environment at elevated temperatures. This will result in a layer on the surface with very low carbon content and poor mechanical properties. Figure 3 blow shows the cross section of a Fe-0.7C wt.% steel decarburized at 1200 K. the diffusivity of carbon is given in the table below. Based on the information provided, answer the following questions: 100 m Non-uniform zone of decarburization Uniform zone of decarburization Total decarburization zone FIGURE: Cross section of a Fe-0.7C wt.% steel after decarburization at 1200 K alloy -Fe y-Fe TABLE: Diffusion of carbon in steel Do (m/s) Activation Energy Qa (kJ/mol) 6.210-7 80 2.310-5 148 a) How long will it take for the depth at which the concentration is 0.4 wt.% to become 2.5 mm? b) How does your calculated time compare with an estimate made assuming that the diffusion is a random walk? Comment on the reasons why the two results are different. c) Explain why there was a non-uniform zone of decarburization in the decarburized layer shown in Fig. 3. If the steel had been plastically deformed, would the non-uniform zone of decarburization be longer or shorter? Justify your answer.

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