Crystal structures of stable and metastable iron-containing carbides

Abstract

This review describes the current knowledge of crystal structures of stable and metastable carbides containing iron that form in iron-based alloys. Attention is concentrated on recent work on the structures themselves, with only peripheral remarks on such such subjects as transition mechanisms, growth kinetics, and thermodynamics. New or unusual perspectives of these structures emerge, suggesting possible relationships among them heretofore undiscerned. Instances where definitions of structures remain incomplete are noted. The review concludes with, a brief discussion of reasons for the existence of these deficiencies and ways in which they might be overcome through applications of new diffraction techniques.