THE FACTORS DETERMINING THE GROWTH-RATE OF A PHASE IN SUPERCOOLED AUSTENITE

The growth of a phase in a supercooled austenite is considered as a se lf-consistent process in which the races of gamma-alpha transformation and the corresponding carbon redistribution are determined by the val ue of thermodynamic potential Delta G(gamma/alpha) depending on temper ature and carbon content. The expression describing this dependence as well as the equation for the calculation of the growth rate of alpha phase at various temperatures in the steels containing 0 less than or equal to C less than or equal to 0.8% is derived. The maximum of the l inear growth rare of alpha phase decreases from similar to 850 to 630 degrees C with increasing carbon content within the limits under study . The calculated growth-rate values are in a good agreement with exper imental data.