Abstract: The relative ranking of some transition metals (TMs) to form carbides in Fe–C alloys permitted to quantify their relative ability to form these chemical combinations. The accuracy of this relative ranking is confirmed because depending on electronegativity values of studied elements and the thermodynamic probability and stability of the precipitated carbides. We suggest another model to compute the relative amounts of any precipitated carbide. Mainly depending on the dissolution coefficient values of the studied metals (solutes) in liquid steel (iron is considered as solvent), this model allows the prediction of the contribution of any alloying elements to the total carbides precipitation.
On transition metals carbides precipitation in alloyed steels
The RCA values allow the sorting of TMs ability to form carbides and quantifies their formation possibility. It dissipates ambiguities and quantitatively precise the anterior classifications. The established formula enriches the theoretical classification of TM (as alpha, or gamma-gene elements).