Nucleation kinetics of proeutectoid ferrite transformation in Fe-0.58 mass%C alloy under a high magnetic field

The effects of a high magnetic field on proeutectoid ferrite nucleation kinetics has been investigated. SEM equipped with Electron backscattering diffraction are utilized to distinguish the quantity and morphology of proeutectoid ferrite. Results indicate that proeutectoid ferrite nucleation density approximately increased about 11–17% from 1033 to 993 K. Magnetization energy induced by high magnetic field is responsible for ferrite nucleation density increasing. According to Weiss molecular field theory, relationship between magnetic flux density, temperature and nucleation rate of proeutectoid ferrite is clarified. Nucleation kinetics model of proeutectoid ferrite under high magnetic fields is proposed.