Transformation character of ferrite formation by a ledge mechanism under a mixed-control model

A mixed-control model was developed to study the transformation character of ferrite formation by a ledge mechanism. A numerical two-dimensional diffusion-field model was combined to describe the evolution of the diffusion field ahead of the migrating austenite/ferrite interface. The calculation results show that the bulk diffusion-controlled model leads to a deviation from experimental results under large solute supersaturation. In the mixed-control model, solute supersaturation and a parameter Z together determine the transformation character, which is quantified by the normalized concentration of carbon in austenite at the austenite/ferrite interface. By comparing with experimental data, the pre-exponential factor of interface mobility, M-0, is estimated within the range from 0.10 to 0.60 mol.m.J(-1).S-1 for the alloys with 0.11wt%-0.49wt% C at 700-740 degrees C. For a certain Fe-C alloy, the trend of the transformation character relies on the magnitude of M-0 as the transformation temperature decreases.