The nature of stacking faults within iron-chromium carbide of the type (Fe,Cr)7C3

The microstructure of a 26.6% chromium white iron was characterized in a previous study. An observation within this study confirms the literature that the eutectic (Fe,Cr)7C3 carbide phase within high chromium content ferrous alloys always contains crystalline faults regardless of heat treatment. A kinematical model is put forwards to explain how mechanical stacking faults occur within (Fe,Cr)7C3 carbide. The kinematical model was compared to the findings obtained from a high resolution transmission electron microscope.