Microstructure of Fe-TiC surface composite produced by cast-sintering

Fe-TiC surface composite was prepared in situ on a surface of cast steel by means of cast-sintering technique. The microstructure of this material was investigated by means of SEM, electron probe and XRD. Results show that the TiC and (Fe,Cr)₇C₃ carbides in an iron matrix were achieved on the surface of cast steel during cast-sintering. From the top surface of sample to that of the master-steel, the concentration of Ti, Cr and Ni as well as the quantity of both TiC and (Fe,Cr)₇C₃ carbides decreased gradually, and the morphology of (Fe,Cr)₇C₃ transforms from strip-chunky into make-and-break reticulation. There was an excellent metallurgy-bond between the surface composite layer and the master-steel.     

Synthesis and characterisation of TiC reinforced CoCrFeNi composite by hot-pressing sintering

ABSTRACT

Ti, Co, Cr, Fe, Ni and graphite powders were used to fabricate TiC reinforced CoCrFeNi composite by mechanical alloying and consequently hot pressing sintering at 1200°C for 1?h. Results indicated that Co, Cr, Fe and Ni powders were deformed, cold welded and crushed repeatedly during milling and an face-centred cubic-structured solid solution was obtained after milled for more than 10?h. Nano-sized TiC and micron-sized Cr₇C₃ type carbides were formed and embedded in the CoCrFeNi matrix dispersedly after sintering. The hardness and compressive fracture strength of the sintered composite reached 501 HV and 2.55?GPa, respectively, which could be ascribed to the presence of large amount of in-situ formed TiC and Cr₇C₃ type carbides in the composite.     

Hot hardness of (Fe,Cr)3C and (Fe,Cr)7C3 carbides

Hot hardness was measured on the primary carbides, (Fe, Cr)₃C and (Fe, Cr)₇C₃, in unidirectionally solidified iron-carbon-chromium hypereutectic alloys with chromium more than 4.8 wt %. The hardness-temperature relation was represented by two Ito-Shishokin formulae,H _v =A(— BT), and thus was drawn by two lines on a semilogarithmic graph. The inflection temperature where the two lines intersected was found at 730 to 860 K for (Fe, Cr)₃C carbide containing 0 to 14 wt % Cr, increasing with an increase in the chromium concentration in the carbide, and at about 910 K for (Fe, Cr)₇C₃ carbide containing 36 to 76 wt % Cr. With increasing chromium concentration in each carbide, the hardness of the carbide increased and the thermal softening coefficients decreased. The effect of chromium on the hardness, the inflection temperature and the thermal softening coefficients was more pronounced for (Fe, Cr)₃C carbide than for (Fe, Cr)₇C₃ carbide. Each of the thermal softening coefficients,B ₁(T<T _t),B ₂(T>T _t), the inflection temperature,T _t, room-temperature hardness,H _v(T _RT), and the hardness atT _t,H _v(T _t), related linearly to the chromium concentration in the carbides, and hence the hot hardness of the carbides could be expressed as functions of temperature and chromium concentration in the carbides. The relationships betweenH _v(T _RT) andH _v(T _t) and between the thermal softening coefficient,B ₂, and the activation energy for creep,Q _c(kJ mol^–1), were represented by the following equations:H _v(T _t)0.7H _v(T _RT),B ₂=1.26/Q _c.     

Improved surface properties of D2 steel by laser surface alloying

The wear and the high-temperature oxidation resistance of the D2 steel (Fe-1.5 C-12 Cr-0.95 Mo-0.9 V-0.3 Mn) were increased by laser surface alloying after coating the surface with SiC or Cr₃C₂ powder. The surface alloys exhibit two microstructures: hypoeutectic and hypereutectic, respectively, all containing iron solid solutions and iron-chromium carbides, (Fe,Cr)₇C₃. The oxidation resistance of these alloys was measured in isothermal and cyclic conditions, and was shown to increase with silicon or chromium additions, particularly due to the formation of a chromia scale with excellent behaviour during thermal shoks. The surface alloy obtained with Cr₃C₂ also has shown a better resistance to wear due to its hypereutectic microstructure.     

Interaction between the TiC(TiCN)-Ni-Mo hardmetals and chromium vapours

The interaction between TiC or TiCN-based hardmetals with a Ni-Mo binder, or cermets, and chromium vapour in a vacuum was investigated over a wide temperature range acceptable for depositing wear-resistant coatings without the formation of a liquid phase in the cermets. Computer modelling in the Ti-C-Cr system showed that a direct interaction of TiC with chromium, leading to the formation of chromium carbides, is not possible because of the high thermodynamic stability of titanium carbide. It was established experimentally that as a result of the interaction between the cermets and chromium vapours, a coating characterized by a two-layer structure was deposited on the cermet surface. The coating consists of an inner layer adjacent to the substrate, which is composed of the chromium and carbon solid solution in nickel, and an outer layer composed of a mixture of (Cr, Ni)₇C₃ and (Cr, Ni)₂₃C₆. The activation energy of the deposition process is 387 kJ mol^–1 which is close to the value of the chromium heat of evaporation. The coating deposition process is supposed to be limited by the rate of the external supply of chromium from the vapour phase. The results of the investigation of the structure, composition and morphology of the coating are presented. A mechanism responsible for the interaction of the cermets with chromium vapour leading to the formation of the two-layer coating, is proposed.     

Influence of secondary carbides precipitation and transformation on the secondary hardening of laser melted high chromium steel

The influence of secondary carbides precipitation and transformation on the secondary hardening of laser melted high chromium steels was analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The microstructure of laser melted high chromium steel is composed of austenite with supersaturated carbon and alloy elements and granular interdendritic carbides of type M₂₃C₆. Secondary hardening of the laser melted layer begins at 450 °C after tempering, and the hardness reaches a peak of 672HV at 560 °C and then decreases gradually. After tempering at 560 °C, a large amount of lamellar martensite was formed in the laser melted layer with a small quantity of thin lamellar M₃C cementite due to the martensitic decomposition. The stripy carbides precipitating at the grain boundaries were determined to be complex hexagonal M₇C₃ carbides and face centered cubic M₂₃C₆ carbides. In addition, the granular M₂₃C₆ carbides and fine rod-like shaped M₇C₃ carbides coexisted within the dendrites. As a result, the combined effects of martensitic transformation, ultrafine carbide precipitations, and dislocation strengthening result in the secondary hardening of the laser melted layer when the samples were tempered at 560 °C.     

烧结Cr15高铬铸铁组织与性能的研究

为研发耐磨性能优良、成本相对低廉的高铬铸铁,本文分别以亚共晶、过共晶的水雾化Cr15高铬铸铁粉末为原料,采用超固相线液相烧结工艺制备了烧结高铬铸铁(SHCCI),并对其显微组织、力学性能和冲击磨粒磨损工况下的耐磨性能进行对比研究。结果表明,烧结高铬铸铁主要由M7C3碳化物、马氏体和奥氏体组成;在亚共晶烧结高铬铸铁中,通过电解腐蚀萃取的M7C3碳化物三维形貌呈珊瑚状,沿晶界均匀分布,材料抗冲击耐磨性能优良;在过共晶烧结高铬铸铁中,优先形成的初生碳化物可能成为共晶碳化物的生长基底,形成核-壳结构的M7C3碳化物,沿晶界相互连接呈网状,严重割裂基体。亚共晶、过共晶烧结高铬铸铁的力学性能分别为:硬度HRC63.9、HRC64.3,冲击韧性7.92、3.04 J/cm^2,抗弯强度2112.65、1624.87 MPa。     

Microstructural characteristics of gas tungsten arc synthesised Fe-Cr-Si-C coating

Abstract

The gas tungsten arc (GTA) method was used to synthesise Fe-Cr-Si-C alloy coatings, and processing effects on the coating were investigated experimentally. Coatings were developed on an AISI type 1040 steel substrate. Four different regions were obtained in the surface coating; and in these regions either a hypoeutectic or a hypereutectic microstructure was found. The hypoeutectic microstructure consisted of primary dendrites of austenite (γ) phase and eutectic M₇C₃ (M=Cr,Fe) carbides. On the other hand, the hypereutectic microstructure consisted of M₇C₃ primary carbides and eutectic. A hypoeutectic or hypereutectic microstructure was determined by the combination of particularly carbon concentration, solidification rate, and extent of substrate melting. The higher hardness of the hypereutectic microstructure is attributed especially to the formation of M₇C₃ primary carbides. The lower hardness of the hypoeutectic microstructure is related to three effective parameters: first, the presence of γ phase in the primary dendrites; second, excessive dilution from the base material; and third, relatively low concentrations of chromium and carbon.     

Refining effect of nitrogen on M7C3 carbides in hypereutectic Fe–25Cr–4C–0.5Ti–0.5Nb hardface coatings

Hypereutectic Fe–Cr–C–Ti–Nb coatings with N additives were developed by surface-hardening welding (hardfacing). The experimental results showed that the primary M₇C₃ carbides were refined by the N additives in the coatings. Based on the micro-morphologies of M₇C₃ and (Ti,Nb)(C,N), the (Ti,Nb)(C,N) was present inside the primary M₇C₃ carbides, and they were tightly combined. The mismatch between the (010) crystal plane of M₇C₃ and the (110) crystal plane of (Ti,Nb)(C,N) was 6.15%, which indicated that (Ti,Nb)(C,N) was moderately effective as a heterogeneous nucleus of M₇C₃ carbides. Therefore, the preferentially precipitated (Ti,Nb)(C,N) in the Fe–Cr–C–Ti–Nb coating was the heterogeneous nucleus of the primary M₇C₃ carbides and thereby refined the primary M₇C₃ carbides .     

Chromium carbide laser-beam surface-alloying treatment on stainless steel

In order to improve the resistance to wear, oxidation and corrosion of a stainless steel die, chromium carbide surface-alloying treatment was carried out on a 12 % Cr stainless steel using a CO₂ laser. Cr₃C₂ powder slurry was coated on the stainless steel and then a 3 kW CO₂ laser beam was used to irradiate the specimen. The thickness of surface-alloyed layer was about 0.3 mm and the chromium concentration was about 40 % throughout the alloyed-region. Large amounts of Cr₃C₂ and Cr₇C₃ were also distributed in this alloyed layer. From the results of the isothermal oxidation test at 960 °C for 100 h, it was found that the surface-alloying treatment improved the oxidation resistance by about 100 times due to the distribution of chromium carbides and the increase in the chromium concentration. The results of the cyclic oxidation test revealed that the oxidation layer was very stable on the chromium carbide surface-alloyed region, while it scaled off very easily from the substrate region due to porous oxidation products. The microhardness was about 1100 H_v due to the dispersion and precipitation of chromium carbides in addition to the martensitic structure in the surface-alloyed region. The microhardness did not decrease much, despite heating at 960 °C for 100 h. The chromium carbide surface-alloying treatment improved the wear-resistance greatly, and the results of the wear-resistance test were very consistent with those of the microhardness test.     

Effect of carbon content on solidification behaviors and morphological characteristics of the constituent phases in Cr-Fe-C alloys

A combination of transmission electron microscopy, electron backscatter diffraction and wavelength dispersive spectrum has been used to identify crystal structure, grain boundary characteristic and chemical composition of the constituent phases in Cr-Fe-C alloys with three different carbon concentrations. Depending on the three different carbon concentrations, the solidification structures are found to consist of primary α-phase and [α + (Cr,Fe)₂₃ C₆] eutectic in Cr-18.4Fe-2.3 C alloy; primary (Cr,Fe)₂₃ C₆ and [α + (Cr,Fe)₂₃ C₆] eutectic in Cr-24.5Fe-3.8 C alloy and primary (Cr,Fe)₇ C₃ and [α + (Cr,Fe)₇ C₃] eutectic in Cr-21.1Fe-5.9 C alloy, respectively. The grain boundary analysis is useful to understand growth mechanism of the primary phase. The morphologies of primary (Cr,Fe)₂₃ C₆ and (Cr,Fe)₇ C₃ carbides are faceted structures with polygonal shapes, different from primary α-phase with dendritic shape. The primary (Cr,Fe)₂₃ C₆ and (Cr,Fe)₇ C₃ carbides with strong texture exist a single crystal structure and contain a slight low angle boundary, resulting in the polygonal growth mechanism. Nevertheless, the primary α-phase with relative random orientation exhibits a polycrystalline structure and comprises a massive high-angle boundary, caused by the dendritic growth mechanism.     

Interface temperature measurement of M2C and M6C eutectic carbides in the Fe–Mo–C system

The High speed cast iron, which is used for hot rolling parts, needs high fracture toughness and wear resistance. To improve these properties, the control of eutectic carbides, M₃C, M₇C₃, M₆C and MC is important by adding elements such as Cr, W, V and Mo.The aim of this study is to estimate which carbide will solidify under certain solidification conditions and compositions. This prediction criterion can be gained by measuring the interface temperature of each carbide in various samples with different solute elements, composition and growth rate.In this report, the solidified temperature of γ+M₂C and γ+M₆C eutectic carbide in the Fe–Mo–C ternary system in the composition range near to the eutectic monovariant line, was measured during the unidirectional solidification process. The relationship between solidified interface temperature and growth rate was obtained. In eutectic solidification along the γ+M₆C monovariant line, a coefficient of undercooling, the k value, was obtained.The authors have already measured the k values of other eutectic carbides, such as γ+M₃C, austenite+M₇C₃, and γ+VC in Fe–Cr–C and Fe–V–C system. The paper also discusses the relationships between these properties of eutectic carbides.     

Interface temperature measurement of M2C and M6C eutectic carbides in the Fe–Mo–C system

The High speed cast iron, which is used for hot rolling parts, needs high fracture toughness and wear resistance. To improve these properties, the control of eutectic carbides, M₃C, M₇C₃,M₆C and MC is important by adding elements such as Cr, W, V and Mo.

The aim of this study is to estimate which carbide will solidify under certain solidification conditions and compositions. This prediction criterion can be gained by measuring the interface temperature of each carbide in various samples with different solute elements, composition and growth rate.

In this report, the solidified temperature of γ + M₂C and γ + M₆C eutectic carbide in the Fe–Mo–C ternary system in the composition range near to the eutectic monovariant line, was measured during the unidirectional solidiication process. The relationship between solidified interface temperature and growth rate was obtained. In eutectic solidification along the γ + M₆C monovariant line, a coefficient of undercooling, the k value, was obtained.

The authors have already measured the k values of other eutectic carbides, such as γ + M₃C, austenite + M₇C₃, and γ + VC in Fe–Cr–C and Fe–V–C system. The paper also discusses the relationships between these properties of eutectic carbides.     

Effect of carbon content on microstructure and corrosion behavior of hypereutectic Fe–Cr–C claddings

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of carbon content on the microstructures and corrosion characteristics. The results showed that the hypereutectic microstructure comprised primary (Cr,Fe)₇C₃ carbides and the eutectic colonies [γ-Fe + (Cr,Fe)₇C₃]. The amounts of primary (Cr,Fe)₇C₃ carbides increased from 33.81 to 86.14% when carbon content increased from 3.73 to 4.85 wt%. The corrosion resistance of the hypereutectic alloy with 4.85 wt% C was about 20 times higher than that with 3.73 wt% C. The galvanic corrosion occurred in all claddings due to difference of corrosion potential between primary carbide and austenite. The dense distribution of primary carbides could retard the austenitic matrix from selective corrosion. The austenite dissolved the Fe²⁺ ions and formed a Cr₂O₃ film under 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution.     

Precipitates change of ferritic‐martensitic 11 % chromium steel under short‐term creep

A ferritic‐martensitic (FM) 11 % chromium steel with final heat treatment was subjected to a short‐term creep test at a stress of 150 MPa and 600 °C for 1100 h in order to study the change of precipitates in the steel during the creep test. Except for Nb‐rich metall carbides (MC, M₂₃C₆) and Laves phases, Fe‐W‐Cr‐rich M₆C (based on Fe₃W₃C) carbides forming during the creep test were also identified in the crept steel by electron diffraction and x‐ray diffraction in combination with energy dispersive x‐ray analysis of extraction carbon replicas. The identified M₆C carbides have a fcc crystal structure, a metallic element composition of approximately 44Fe, 32 W, and 20Cr in atomic %, and large sizes ranging from 100 nm to 300 nm in diameter. The M₆C carbides are a dominant phase in the crept steel. M₆X precipitates are generally not easy to form during high temperature creep, even if it is a long‐term creep, in ferritic‐martensitic 9–12 % chromium steels with a final heat treatment. The present work provides the evidence for the M₆C carbides forming during short‐term creep in ferritic‐martensitic high chromium steels. The formation of the M₆C carbides was discussed.     

The influence of high temperature ageing on the Structure of Alloy 800

The report presents investigations of the microstructure of commercial Alloy 800 after isothermal ageing at 900°C, carried out by optical microscopy and by transmission electron microscopy using replica and thin foil techniques. The high temperature ageing was characterized predominantly by precipitation of carbides on grain and twin boundaries of the austenitic matrix, as well as on dislocations within the grains. The carbides were identified, using electron microscope diffraction and X-ray phase analysis of electrolytic extractions, as (Cr, Fe)₂₃C₆, Ti (C, N) and TiC.     

Laser cladding composite coatings by Ni–Cr–Ti–B4C with different process parameters

To investigate the effect of laser process parameters on microstructure and properties of composite coating, the composite coatings were manufactured by laser cladding Ni–Cr–Ti–B₄C mixed powder on Q235 mild steel with different process parameters. The coatings are bonded with the substrate by remarkable metallurgical binding without cracks and pores. The composite coatings are consisted of in situ synthesized solid solution Ni–Cr–Fe, intermetallic compound (IMC) Ni₃Ti, Cr₂Ti, and ceramic reinforcements TiB₂, TiC. Results of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that the ceramic reinforcements became coarser with higher specific energy (E_s). There were independent ceramics TiB₂, TiC, eutectic ceramic TiB₂–TiC in coatings, and eutectic alloy–ceramic was detected. Compared with the substrate, the microhardness of coatings was increased significantly, and the maximum microhardness of coatings was approximately five times as high as the substrate. The wear resistance of coatings was improved dramatically than the substrate. Compared to the coatings with lower E_s, higher E_s led to lower microhardness and worse wear resistance ascribing to more Fe diffused into the coating from the substrate.     

Microstructures in a resistance spot welded high strength dual phase steel

The microstructure of a high strength dual phase steel resistance spot welded with tempering-pulse technology is characterized in this paper. In the fusion zone, there is a needle-like microstructure identified as acicular or side plate ferrite that has a cube-on-cube orientation relationship with respect to the surrounding martensite. In contrast to the microstructures produced by the lower cooling rate arc or laser welding techniques, the nucleation of this fine intragranular ferrite takes place independent of inclusions. Further, a leaf-like microstructure within the martensitic matrix is found to contain primitive orthorhombic Cr₃C₂ and face-centered cubic CrC chromium carbides, rather than Cr₂₃C₆ or Cr₇C₃ as is commonly observed in steel alloys. The formation histories of both the ferrite phase and the chromium carbides are analyzed.     

Factors affecting eutectic solidification of Cr–Ni (–Si–Mn) white cast irons

Abstract

The crystal structure and morphology of eutectic carbides are known to strongly determine the mechanical and tribological properties of Cr–Ni white cast irons. In an effort to improve these properties, investigators at the US Bureau of Mines have studied the effects of alloying additions of 0·0–1·8%Si, 0·0–6·7%Ni, and 0·0–3·2%Mn (all wt-%) and solidification rates of from 1·0 to ～500 K min^?1 on hypoeutectic irons containing ～3%C and ～8%Cr. The structure and morphology of the eutectic carbides formed were identified using electron microprobe analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron and optical microscopy. Differential thermal analysis was used to study the effects of alloying additions on the solidification reactions. The results show that these irons can have carbide structures consisting of (Fe, Cr)₃C or (Fe, Cr)₇C₃ or both. These observations are explained in terms of the effects of Si, Ni, and Mn on the liquidus surface of the metastable Fe–Cr–C phase diagram.

MST/1288     

Evolution of carbides and performance of knives made of aged 8Cr13MoV steel

The dissolution and precipitation behaviours of M₇C₃ and M₂₃C₆ carbides in 8Cr13MoV steel were calculated using Thermo-Calc software. The mechanical properties of carbides were calculated using the Vienna Ab-initio Simulation Package. Results showed that M₇C₃ carbides were ductile and M₂₃C₆ carbides were brittle. High holding temperature provided favourable conditions for M₇C₃ carbides to precipitate and promoted the dissolution of bulky M₂₃C₆ carbides. Two heat treatment sequences were designed. During aging treatment, dispersive rodlike nanoscale M₇C₃ carbides precipitated from matrix, which improved wear resistance and the retention ability of the cutting edge of knives by 56 and 22%, respectively.