XRD and EBSD Measurements of Directional Solidification Fe-C Eutectic Alloy

In a vacuum Bridgman-type furnace, under an argon atmosphere, directionally solidified sample of Fe-C alloy was produced. The pulling rate was v = 83 μm/s (300 mm/h) and constant temperature gradient G = 33,5 K/mm. The microstructure of the sample was examined on the longitudinal section using an Optical Microscope and Scanning Electron Microscope. The X-ray diffraction and electron backscatter diffraction technique (EBSD) have been used for the crystallographic analysis of carbide particles in carbide eutectic. The X-ray diffraction was made parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the goniometer. The EBSD shows the existence of iron carbide Fe₃C with orthorhombic and hexagonal structure. Rapid solidification may cause a deformation of the lattice plane which is indicated by different values of the lattice parameters. Such deformation could also be the result of directional solidification. Not all of the peaks in X–ray diffractograms were identified. They may come from other iron carbides. These unrecognized peaks may also be a result of the residual impurity of alloy.