Analysis of R. P. Smith's and D. C. Parris-R. B. Mclellan's carbon diffusivity data

A phenomenological model is proposed to account for the variation of carbon diffusivityD(N₁) with composition in austenite. This model is based on Parris-McLellan's statement that the increase ofD(N₁) with carbon concentrationN ₁ is due to the increase in chemical driving force. The gradient of the carbon activity in Wagner's and in Zupp-Stevenson's interpretation is presumed to be the intrinsic driving force. The predictions of the model are compared with carbonD(N₁) values both with 1] and without 5] a chemical concentration gradient. TheD(0) values and the carbon-carbon interaction coefficients ₁ are calculated by the use of the least squares method from the experimental data. The application of Zupp-Stevenson's definition of the activity coefficient ₁ results in a better fit of the theory to the experimental data.