Characterization of phases formed in the iron carbide process by X-ray diffraction, Mossbauer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectroscopy analyses

• Published in: Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science Process metallurgy and materials processing science, 2001-10, Vol.32 (5), p.839-845
• Main Authors: EUNGYEUL PARK, JIANQIANG ZHANG, THOMSON, Stuart, OSTROVSKI, Oleg, HOWE, Russell
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Metallurgical fundamentals; Metals. Metallurgy; Production of metals
• ISSN: 1073-5615; 1543-1916
• DOI: 10.1007/s11663-001-0071-1

Iron carbide was prepared by iron ore reduction and iron cementation using Ar-H sub 2 -CH sub 4 gas mixture with and without sulfur. Phases formed in the reduction/cementation process were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Mossbauer, and Raman spectroscopy. The sample surface was also analyzed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). XRD and Mossbauer analyses showed that iron oxide was first reduced to metallic iron, and then, metallic iron was carburized to cementite. Addition of a small amount of H sub 2 S to the reaction gas retarded the cementite formation but made the cementite more stable. XPS analysis showed that the surface of samples converted to iron carbide using sulfur-containing gas consisted of mainly Fe sub 3 C and a small amount of graphitic carbon. Raman spectra of a sample produced in the iron carbide process showed the G and D bands, which are characteristic for carbon-carbon bonds. The intensity ratio of G/D bands depended on the sulfur content in the reducing /carburizing gas.