Esterer Gießerei - Austenite

Austenite is the name for mixed crystals of iron alloys with a face-centred cubic structure. It is often found in high-alloy steels, which have alloy elements with the same crystal structure.

Austenite has low hardening values, it is not ferromagnetic and has poor machining characteristics. The solidity of austenitic structures can be improved by cold moulding.

In unalloyed or low-alloyed steels austenite completely transforms during the cooling process at a temperature of 723 degrees Celsius in perlite. At the cooling process of steel we can create austenitic structures by adding so called austenite agents. Classic austenite agents are the elements cobalt, carbon, nickel, manganese and nitrogen.

Austenite is a pre-phase of heat after-treatment, mostly of hardening. The expression austenite is also often used for other face-centred cubic mixed iron crystals.