Ferritic Microstructures

This chapter describes the ferritic microstructures that form in carbon steels under continuous cooling conditions. It begins with a review of the Dubé classification system for crystal morphologies. It then explains how cooling-rate-induced changes involving carbon atom diffusion and the associated rearrangement of iron atoms produce the wide variety of morphologies and microstructures observed in ferrite. The chapter also describes a classification system developed specifically for ferritic microstructures and uses it to compare common forms of ferrite, including polygonal or equiaxed ferrite, Widmanstatten ferrite, quasi-polygonal or massive ferrite, acicular ferrite, and granular ferrite.