5.5 Eutectic crystallisation of white iron When undercooled below the eutectic line ECF in the Fe-C phase diagram,liquid iron will start eutectic transformation (crystallization):eutectic liquid → cementite + austenite.Eutectic crystallisation is an important stage during the crystallization of white iron.At this stage,the nucleation and growth of eutectic cells (consisting of carbide or cementite + austenite) occur.The carbide in eutectic cells (or eutectic carbide) is the main hard and brittle phase structure which has an important effect on the properties of white iron.If there is no primary carbide in the structure,the effect of eutectic carbide is more prominent.5.5.1 Thermodynamics and kinetics of eutectic crystallisationWhether a eutectic melt follows the meta-stable system to crystallise as carbide + austenite,or follows the stable system to crystallise as graphite + austenite eutectic,is dependent on the nucleation and growth of the two high carbon phases (carbide and graphite),namely,on thermodynamic and kinetic conditions.Figure 5-23 shows the comparison of thermodynamic driving forces of the two eutectics.The two lines in the lower section of the figure represent the free energy of the two eutectics respectively and GL is the free energy of the undercooled iron melt.It is easy to see that the iron melt has the highest free energy and the graphiteaustenite has the lowest free energy;so,following a stable system,the thermodynamic condition favours the crystallisation of graphite-austenite eutectic from the iron melt.