Iron-Carbon diagram

The Iron-Carbon diagram illustrates how iron and carbon combine at different temperatures and levels of carbon content to form various materials, mainly steels and cast irons. It shows what phases (states of matter) are present, such as ferrite, a soft iron-rich phase, and cementite, a hard, brittle compound. The diagram helps predict how steel will behave—its hardness, strength, and ductility—based on its carbon content and cooling process. Essentially, it’s a map guiding metallurgists in designing steels with specific properties for different applications.