Can Pearlite form Outside of the Hultgren Extrapolation of the Ae3 and Acm Phase Boundaries?

It is usually assumed that ferrous pearlite can form only when the average austenite carbon concentration C lies between the extrapolated Ae3 (γ/α) and Acm (γ/θ) phase boundaries (the “Hultgren extrapolation”). This “mutual supersaturation” criterion for cooperative lamellar nucleation and growth is critically examined from a historical perspective and in light of recent experiments on coarse-grained hypoeutectoid steels which show pearlite formation outside the Hultgren extrapolation. This criterion, at least as interpreted in terms of the average austenite composition, is shown to be unnecessarily restrictive. The carbon fluxes evaluated from Brandt’s solution are sufficient to allow pearlite growth both inside and outside the Hultgren Extrapolation. As for the feasibility of the nucleation events leading to pearlite, the only criterion is that there are some local regions of austenite inside the Hultgren Extrapolation, even if the average austenite composition is outside.MMA and CC acknowledge financial support from Spanish Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación in the form of a Coordinate Project (ENE2009-13766-C04-01). REH acknowledges support from the U.S. Department of Energy (contract DE-AC52-06NA25396).Peer Reviewe