Austenite

Not to be confused with Austinite.
This article is about the alloy and iron allotrope. For Jane Austen fans, see Janeite.
Steels
Phases
Microstructures
Classes
Other iron-based materials
Iron-carbon phase diagram, showing the conditions under which austenite (γ) is stable in carbon steel.
Allotropes of iron; alpha iron and gamma iron

Austenite, also known as gamma-phase iron (γ-Fe), is a metallic, non-magnetic allotrope of iron or a solid solution of iron with an alloying element.[1] In plain-carbon steel, austenite exists above the critical eutectoid temperature of 1000 K (727 °C); other alloys of steel have different eutectoid temperatures. The austenite allotrope is named after Sir William Chandler Roberts-Austen (1843–1902).[2] It exists at room temperature in some stainless steels due to the presence of nickel stabilizing the austenite at lower temperatures.

  1. ^ Reed-Hill R, Abbaschian R (1991). Physical Metallurgy Principles (3rd ed.). Boston: PWS-Kent Publishing. ISBN 978-0-534-92173-6.
  2. ^ Gove PB, ed. (1963). Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary. Springfield, Massachusetts, USA: G & C Merriam Company. p. 58.