Final answer:
The graphitization of carbon steels occurs at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 2000 K (727 to 1727 °C or 1341 to 3140 °F), especially relevant in high-temperature applications such as in a blast furnace during steel production.
Step-by-step explanation:
The graphitization of carbon steels is a process that becomes more significant at elevated temperatures. This process involves the conversion of different forms of carbon in steel into graphite, a more thermodynamically stable form under certain conditions. In the context of steel production and processing, graphitization can begin to occur when metal temperatures exceed around 1000 - 2000 K, which corresponds to approximately 727 - 1727 °C or 1341 - 3140 °F. This transformation is relevant when dealing with materials subjected to high temperatures, such as components within a blast furnace.
During the production of steel, carbon is an essential ingredient. For instance, within a blast furnace, coke, comprised of impure carbon, reacts to form carbon monoxide which then serves to reduce iron ores into metallic iron. This environment is characterized by different temperature zones, with the highest temperatures at the bottom regions. It is within these high-temperature zones that graphitization of carbon steels could become a concern.