Abstract
An explanation of the stability of the α ferrite or γ austenite phase in steels containing transition metal alloying elements that lie either to the left or right hand side of iron in the periodic table (except manganese which has an anomalous behaviour) is usually based on the empirical electron state and thermokinetic considerations evolved by Hume-Rothery and Zener. An alternative interpretation of the phase stability is proposed, based on the moments theorem of Cyrot-Lackman, i.e. an electron theory approach. It is also proposed that if the moments theorem approach can be coupled to thermokinetic aspects of phase transformations, it may be possible to predict some structural properties of steels from first principles.
MST/2066
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