Effects of Magnetic Field Intensity on Carbon Diffusion in Pure Iron in the Single-Phase Austenite Region

Abstract

Effects of magnetic field intensity on carbon diffusion in pure iron in the single-phase austenite region were investigated. Specimens of high purity iron (99.99%) were buried in an air-proof melting pot filled up with cementation agent, and respectively subjected to isothermal annealing at 930° for 25 min with a heating rate of 5°C /min, and then cooled in the furnace. A magnetic field with different intensity was applied during the whole heating, isothermal holding and cooling processes. The results showed that the magnetic field annealing obviously hinders the carbon diffusion in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field direction and this effect increased with the enhancement of magnetic filed intensity.