Analysis of retarding effect on α to γ transformation in Fe–C alloy by addition of dispersed particles

The effects of dispersed second phase particles on α-ferrite (α) to austenite (γ) transformation at 1140 K in Fe–C alloy were studied by means of phase field simulation. According to the simulated results, it was found that the particle could retard the migration of α/γ interface. Importantly, both the morphology of particles and the interfacial energy of particle/matrix (α or γ) interface affect the magnitude of the retarding effect. More specifically, the particles with smaller aspect ratio bring stronger retarding force, and when the interfacial energy of particle/γ interface is larger than that of particle/α interface, the retarding effect also becomes significant. These phenomena could be explained from the viewpoint of change in the total amount of the interfacial energy of the simulation system.