In Fig. 4a, the microstructure of in-situ casted specimens containing
3 wt.% titanium in etched state can be seen. This figure shows that
the matrix of specimens is made of large perlite which formed from
austenite along with ledeburite (cementite and small perlite islands).
Regarding the ternary equilibrium phase diagram, the alloy containing
3 wt.% titanium during the cooling from molten state initially
produced TiC phases and austenite. Then austenite growth, while at
the end of the remaining melt due to a eutectic transformation at
1140 °C changes to austenite, cementite and titanium carbide, regarding
the following reaction