Institute of Metals Division - On the Widmansfatten Habit Plane of Proeutectoid Cementite

The habit plane of proeutectoid cementute precipitated from austenite was studied using a two-trace surface (analysis coupled with a direct X-ray back-reflection determination of the orientatzon of the parent Matrix. The results were the same as those obtained by earlier workers1 - 2 who used Indirect methods to determine the orientation of the matrix. The data indicate that a range or habit planes in the parent phase is operative which is not in agreement with accepted existing theories. In 1933, Mehl, Barrett. and smith1 obtained a non-unique result in a study of the Widmanstätten habit plane of proeutectoid cementite. Their data are shown in Fig. 1. These results were verified by Greninger and Troiano,2 although they did not pre-sent any data. Both of these investigations relied upon indirect methods of determination of the matrix lattice orientation. Theoretical considerations of Widmanstatten precipitates have usually proved or assumed an orientation relationship between matrix and precipitate; the habit plane expressed relative to the matrix is generally unique, although it may be irrational.3 Opinion is divided as to the factors influencing the choice of habit plane. Mehl4 felt that a nucleus which was plate shaped to minimize strain energy and surface energy during its formation could maintain this shape by the point effect of diffusion; the