YOUNG MODULUS FOR CARBIDES OF 3D ELEMENTS (WITH PARTICULAR REFERENCE TO FE3C)

The Young's modulus of transition metal carbides has been calculated f rom their assessed thermal properties to explain why the modulus of st eels and white cast irons can be only marginally altered by changes in composition or heat treatment. It is shown that the modulus of cement ite (200 GN m-2) is virtually identical to the value calculated for pu re ferrite (215 GN m-). The predicted systematic variation for the mod ulus both with structure and position in the periodic table rationalis es previous isolated experimental observations and confirms that the M C carbides of the group I V elements should have the most powerful str engthening effect in a matrix of their parent metal.