Free carbon in iron makes the irona)soft and gives a fine crystalline ...
Hyper eutectoid steel ⇒ 0.76 to 2.1 percent carbon.
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Free carbon in iron makes the irona)soft and gives a fine crystalline ...
Introduction:
When carbon is added to iron, it forms a solid solution known as steel. The amount of carbon present in the iron determines the properties of the resulting steel. In this case, we are considering the effect of free carbon in iron, which means carbon that is not chemically combined with iron.
Softness and Crystalline Structure:
When free carbon is present in iron, it has a softening effect on the metal. This is because the carbon atoms occupy the interstitial spaces within the iron lattice, disrupting the regular arrangement of iron atoms. As a result, the iron becomes less rigid and more malleable.
The presence of free carbon also affects the crystalline structure of the iron. The carbon atoms tend to segregate at grain boundaries, which are regions where the crystal lattice has discontinuities. This segregation of carbon atoms leads to the formation of a fine-grained crystalline structure.
Explanation of the Correct Answer:
The correct answer is option 'B': "soft and gives a fine crystalline structure." This means that the iron with free carbon is soft and has a fine-grained crystalline structure.
- Softness: The presence of free carbon in iron reduces its hardness and makes it soft. The carbon atoms disrupt the regular arrangement of iron atoms, making the iron more malleable and less brittle.
- Crystalline Structure: The segregation of carbon atoms at grain boundaries leads to the formation of a fine-grained crystalline structure. This means that the iron consists of smaller grains, which results in improved mechanical properties such as increased strength and toughness.
Other Options:
Let's consider the other options and why they are incorrect:
- Option 'A': "soft and gives a coarse-grained crystalline structure." This is incorrect because the presence of free carbon actually leads to the formation of a fine-grained crystalline structure, not a coarse-grained one.
- Option 'C': "hard and gives a coarse-grained crystalline structure." This is incorrect because the presence of free carbon reduces the hardness of iron, making it soft and not hard. Additionally, it forms a fine-grained crystalline structure, not a coarse-grained one.
- Option 'D': "hard and gives a fine-grained crystalline structure." This is incorrect because the presence of free carbon in iron actually softens the metal, making it soft and not hard. It also forms a fine-grained crystalline structure and not a coarse-grained one.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the presence of free carbon in iron softens the metal and gives it a fine-grained crystalline structure. This is due to the disruption of the iron lattice by carbon atoms and the segregation of carbon at grain boundaries.