Effects of solute alloying elements on solid solubility of TiC in austenite

Solute elements in microalloying steel affect the solid solubility of microalloying elements, and thus affect the second phase precipitation in steels. In this work, the influences of solid solution elements, especially Si and Al, on the solubility product of TiC in austenite were studied using the two-sublattice model. The results show that both Al and Si additions reduced the solubility product of TiC in the austenite region, and the reduction degree of TiC solubility product with Al addition was increased with increasing temperature, while it was decreased with Si addition. In addition, Mn, Mo and Cr additions all increased the solubility product of TiC in the austenite region, and the increment degree of TiC solubility product with Mo addition was decreased with increasing temperature, while it changed slightly with Mn or Cr addition with temperature. The model of solubility product of TiC without alloying additions in austenite was modified, and the calculating result was highly consistent with findings of literatures. Finally, a calculation model of TiC solubility product considering the influence of alloying elements was established.