Question

A. Briefly describe the microstructural difference between spheroidite and tempered martensite. Explain why tempered martensite is much stronger.
b. Explain why tempered martensite is much harder and stronger.

Answer 1

Answer:

Answered below.

Explanation:

A) Both spheroidite & tempered martensite possess sphere - like cementite particles within their microstructure known as a ferrite matrix. However, the difference is that these particles are much larger for spheroidite than tempered.

B) Tempered martensite is much harder and stronger than spheroidite primarily because there is much more ferrite - cementite phase boundary area for its sphere - like cementite particles.

This is because the greater the boundary area, the more the hardness.