Microstructure of pearlite is composed of X% ferrite and Y% cementite....
The microstructure of pearlite is composed of two distinct phases: ferrite and cementite. Ferrite is a solid solution of carbon in iron, while cementite is a compound of iron and carbon. The percentages of ferrite and cementite in pearlite can vary depending on the composition of the steel and the cooling rate during its formation.
Explanation:
Pearlite is formed when austenite, a high-temperature phase of steel, is transformed into a eutectoid mixture of ferrite and cementite during the cooling process. The microstructure of pearlite consists of alternating layers of ferrite and cementite, giving it a unique appearance under a microscope.
The correct answer to the given question is option 'C', which states that the microstructure of pearlite is composed of 88% ferrite (X) and 12% cementite (Y). This composition is commonly observed in pearlite formed in hypoeutectoid steels, where the carbon content is below the eutectoid composition of 0.76%.
The percentage composition of pearlite can be explained by the lever rule, which relates the volume fractions of the two phases in a two-phase system. According to the lever rule, the volume fraction of a particular phase is equal to the weight fraction of that phase divided by its specific volume.
In the case of pearlite, the ferrite phase has a lower density than the cementite phase. Therefore, to maintain the mass balance, a larger volume fraction of ferrite is required compared to cementite. This results in a higher percentage of ferrite in the microstructure.
In hypoeutectoid steels, the carbon content is typically less than the eutectoid composition. As a result, during the transformation of austenite to pearlite, some of the excess carbon is trapped in the ferrite phase, leading to the formation of a carbon-rich cementite phase. This explains why the percentage of cementite in pearlite is relatively low (12%) compared to ferrite (88%) in option 'C'.
In summary, the microstructure of pearlite is composed of 88% ferrite and 12% cementite, as stated in option 'C'. This composition is commonly observed in hypoeutectoid steels, where the carbon content is below the eutectoid composition.