Features of the interatomic bonds and the formation of crystal structure in double Fe-C alloys

Carbide phase in the iron-based alloys plays a dominant role in shaping the physical and mechanical properties of steels for various purposes. Therefore, the study of its nature and properties is paid the great attention. The "simplest" carbides during cooling of double Fe-C alloys are released in the form of a compound Fe3C, the nature of which is not sufficiently studied. It is known that this phase is metastable and under certain conditions can break down into free carbon and iron atoms. In the present work, the characteristics of the formation of cementite on the assumption that the interatomic bond in it is ion-covalent nature, the level of which is determined by the difference in electronegativity Fe and C is investigated