Thermodynamics and phase diagrams in metallurgy: no more secrets
Agoria together with InsPyro organizes a four day course program on thermodynamics and phase
diagrams in metallurgical processes. The course will be given in English and aims to attract material
scientists who want a refreshment of the metallurgical principles, and hands-on metallurgists who wish
to strengthen their knowledge of the theoretical background.
The first day (01/04/2014) aims to explain the theoretical background of thermodynamics in relation to
an industrial reality. The visualization of equilibria and the interpretation of phase diagrams is tackled on
the second day (06/05/2014). This is combined with a course day dedicated to the microstructure
formation of iron and steel castings (07/05/2014). During the last day the focus will be set on refractory
materials and their properties (03/06/2014).
More detailed information on the content can be found in the day programs.
01/04/2014: Introduction to thermodynamics: from theory to practice (location: Agoria, Brussel)
06/05/2014: How to read a phase diagram (location: Agoria, Brussel)
07/05/2014: Thermodynamics and phase diagrams for iron and steel processing (location Agoria, Brussel)
03/06/2014: Refractory (location: Agoria, Brussel)
Price
450€/course day (for Agoria-members and InsPyro contacts)
675€/ course day (non-members)
or
1620€/full course program (4 days) (for Agoria-members and InsPyro contacts)
2430€/full course program (4 days) (non-members)
1. Introduction to thermodynamics: from theory to practice (01/04/2014)
What is the idea behind thermodynamics?
Materials change (concepts: component, phases, mixtures, activities) and materials react (concepts:
enthalpy, equilibrium, solubility). How they change and react can be calculated based on
thermodynamic principles which determine how reactions proceed, how processes behave and how a
final structure looks like. Starting from the laws of thermodynamics, phase stability is explained.
Important concepts as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, entropy, phase rule of Gibbs are discussed. The link
to important properties in metallurgy, such as solubility, melting point, and precipitation is made. The
course provides both the mathematical formulae as well as it attempts to create a feeling of ‘common
sense’ principles derived from the basic laws. During the last hour of this course industrial examples are
tackled to establish the connection between industrial reality and the theory of thermodynamics.
09.30: Registration
10.00: What is the idea behind thermodynamics?
 Materials change (concepts: component, phase, mixture, activity)
 Materials react (concepts: enthalpy, equilibrium, solubility)
12.00: Thermodynamics to evaluate reactions and processes
13.00: Sandwich lunch
14.00: Calculation of phase diagrams
15.30: Thermodynamics to construct phase diagrams
 Change of phase fractions as a function of a process parameter
 Change of composition of a phase as a function of a process parameter
 Change of melting temperature as a function of composition
16.00: Industrial examples
- Heat balance — Addition of scrap to liquid steel, lead, or copper
- Effect of pressure on the degradation of graphite or carbon containing crucibles
- Slag-refractory interaction — Mullite refractory, MgO-C refractory
- Exploring feasibility — Can we reduce Al2O3 with C? Can we make nickel from stainless steel?
- … — Your suggestions!
17.00: Opportunity for discussion
2. How to read a phase diagram? (06/05/2014)
Phase diagrams are graphical representations of materials, most commonly as a function of temperature
and composition. In this "how to read a phase diagram" course the main focus is on the practical aspects
of reading. It gives an insight into the type of information you can retrieve from a phase diagram and
how to give an interpretation to the different lines and areas in the graph. The course starts with a basic
level introduction but rapidly advances to more complex systems. Exercises are foreseen to ensure a
thorough understanding. Exercises in this general part focus on all kinds of material systems (molten
metals, slags, solid phase formation etc.). A next course focuses on specific diagrams and mechanisms
for cast iron and steel.
09.30: Registration
10.00: Binary diagrams
 Different areas and lines in a binary phase diagram
 Lever rule to determine phase fractions and phase composition
 Eutectic, peritectic, eutectoid, peritectoid
 Microstructure formation upon equilibrium cooling
11.30: Ternary diagrams
 Interpretation of a liquidus projection
 Isothermal section to see the solubility in the liquid or matrix phase
 Lever rule to determine phase fractions and phase compositions
 Reaction between liquid and solid (e.g. refractory)
13.00: Sandwich lunch
14.00: Binary diagrams
 Microstructure formation in non-equilibrium cooling conditions
 Miscibility gap
15.30: Ternary diagrams
 Different areas and lines in a ternary phase diagram
 Horizontal sections (isothermal) and vertical sections of a ternary diagram
 Determine phase fractions and phase compositions
 Eutectic and peritectic reaction
 Miscibility gap
 Phase formation upon cooling (basic phase reactions)
16.30: Quaternary and higher order diagrams
17.00: Opportunity for discussion
3. Phase diagrams and microstructure formation for iron and steel processing (07/05/2014)
This session has its focus on phase diagrams for iron and steel industry. Starting from the Fe-C/ Fe-Fe3C
diagram the basic principles are rehearsed and then expanded to the influence of alloying elements.
Also the link between phase diagram and microstructure formation is made.
09.30: Registration
10.00: Basic phase diagram
 Fe-C: white cast iron zone
 Fe–Fe3C: grey cast iron zone and carbon steel zone
10.30: Different phases, different structure, different properties
 FCC-BCC-HCP
11.00: Microstructure formation in equilibrium
 Solidification and solidification path
 Heat treatment
13.00: Sandwich lunch
14.00: Alloying influences the phase stability: Fe-C-Ni, Fe-C-Cr,…
 FCC stabilization
 BCC stabilization
 Carbides: appearance and preferential formation with alloying elements
 Steel types (austenitic, martensitic, ferritic, TWIN, TRIP, Duplex,…)
 Cast iron types (white, grey, high-alloyed)
15.00: Microstructure formation outside equilibrium
 CCT and TTT diagrams (non-equilibrium cooling)
 Solidification path (Scheil assumptions)
 Some remarks on nucleation and growth
16.00: Oxide stability and formation of inclusions (Ellingham)
 Deoxidation equilibrium in steel and cast iron
 Reoxidation of elements in steel
17.00: Opportunity for discussion
4. Refractories in metallurgy: introduction to types and wear mechanisms (03/06/2014)
A high performance is expected of refractories in the metal industry, especially for the consumable
linings in furnaces and ladles. They are exposed to liquid materials at high temperature and have to
withstand tough conditions. This course aims to give an understanding of the behavior of the
refractories while the furnace is in operation. This course should give you sufficient theoretical
background to discuss with suppliers on possible improvements or to compare refractory datasheets.
An overview of refractory materials is given with a focus on applicability in metallurgy, especially in the
areas of the audience. Then, the possible wear mechanisms occurring in high-temperature furnaces and
ladles are explained. The link is made to what is observed in analysis of damaged (“post-mortem”)
linings and bricks. Participants are encouraged to send in questions for discussion or bring demo
materials (a selection may need to be made).
09.30: Registration
10.00: What is a refractory?
 Boundary conditions for a refractory
 Oxides and other compounds and their high temperature resistance
10.30: Production of refractories
 Raw materials found in nature
 Processes for upgrading and binding
11.00: Refractories in metallurgy
 Overview of different types of refractories from different raw materials and processing,
examples of datasheets
 Advantages and limitations of the different types
 Examples of suppliers
 Different wear mechanisms affecting refractories in general
13.00: Sandwich lunch
14.00: Refractory wear in furnaces and ladles
 What are normal wear mechanisms and lifetime in metallurgy
 Observations of accelerated wear
 Wear testing in lab and industrial scale
15.00: Analysis of a worn refractory lining and bricks
 What can be observed in post mortem analysis
 Clues for determining the wear mechanism
16.00: Opportunity for discussion