Correlation of microstructure with the wear resistance and fracture toughness of hardfacing alloys reinforced with complex carbides

A correlation was made of the microstructure, wear resistance, and fracture toughness of hardfacing alloys reinforced with complex carbides. The hardfacing alloys were deposited twice on a low-carbon steel substrate by a submerged arc welding (SAW) method. In order to investigate the effect of complex carbides, different fractions of complex carbide powders included inside hardfacing electrodes were employed. Microstructural analysis of the hardfaced layer showed that cuboidal carbides, in which a TiC carbide core was encircled by a WC carbide, and rod-type carbides, in which W and Ti were mixed, were homogeneously distributed in the bainitic matrix. In the surface layer hardfaced with FeWTiC powders, more complex carbides were formed, because of the efficient melting and solidification during hardfacing, than in the case of hardfacing with WTiC powders. As the volume fraction of complex carbides, particularly that of cuboidal carbides, increased, the hardness and wear resistance increased. In-situ observation of the fracture process showed that microcracks were initiated at complex carbides and that shear bands were formed between them, leading to ductile fracture. The hardness, wear resistance, and fracture toughness of the hardfacing alloys reinforced with complex carbides were improved in comparison with high-chromium white-iron hardfacing alloys, because of the homogeneous distribution of hard and fine complex carbides in the bainitic matrix.     

Effects of heat treatment on wear resistance and fracture toughness of duo-cast materials composed of high-chromium white cast iron and low-chromium steel

The objective of this study is to investigate effects of heat treatment on wear resistance and fracture toughness in duo-cast materials composed of a high-chromium white cast iron and a low-chromium steel as a wear-resistant part and a ductile part, respectively. Different size, volume fraction, and distribution of M₇C₃ carbides were employed in the wear-resistant part by changing the amount of chromium, and the volume fraction of martensite in the austenitic matrix was varied by the heat treatment. In the alloys containing a small amount of chromium, an interdendritic structure of eutectic M₇C₃ carbides was formed, and led to the improvement of wear resistance and fracture toughness. After the heat treatment, the selective wear of the matrix and the cracking or spalled-off carbides were considerably reduced since the hardness difference between carbides and matrix decreased by the increase in the matrix hardness, thereby leading to the improvement of the wear resistance. However, the fracture toughness of the heat-treated alloys was lower than that of the as-cast alloys because the matrix containing a considerable amount of martensite did not effectively prevent the crack propagation.     

WC含量对明弧堆焊奥氏体合金显微组织及耐磨性的影响

采用金属粉型药芯焊丝自保护明弧焊制备Cr9Mn6Nb2WVSi Ti奥氏体耐磨堆焊合金,借助XRD,SEM,EDS及光学显微镜研究外加WC颗粒对其显微组织及耐磨性的影响。结果表明,随焊丝药芯中WC增加,奥氏体晶粒细化,沿晶分布的多元合金化碳化物数量增加。初生γ-Fe相原位析出了(Nb,Ti,V)C相和残留WCx颗粒,起到晶内弥散强化作用,沿晶分布的(Nb,Ti,V)C和M_6C(M=Fe,Cr,Mn,V,W)相隔断了网状或树枝状的沿晶M_7C_3相,使其细化、断续分布而提高合金韧性,减轻沿晶碳化物数量增加的不利影响。硬度和磨损测试结果显示,明弧堆焊奥氏体合金洛氏硬度仅为40~47,但其磨损质量损失低于高铬铸铁合金,具有良好耐磨性;随外加WC含量提高,奥氏体合金晶内和晶界显微硬度差异显著减小,合金表面趋于均匀磨损而改善耐磨性。该奥氏体合金的磨损机制主要是磨粒显微切削,适用于带有一定冲击载荷磨粒磨损的工况下使用。     

Correlation of microstructure with the wear resistance and fracture toughness of duocast materials composed of high-chromium white cast iron and low-chromium steel

The objective of this study is to investigate the correlation of microstructure with wear resistance and fracture toughness in duocast materials that consisted of a high-chromium white cast iron and a low-chromium steel as the wear-resistant and ductile parts, respectively. Different shapes, sizes, volume fractions, and distributions of M₇C₃ carbides were employed in the wear-resistant part by changing the amount of chromium and molybdenum. In the alloys containing a large amount of chromium, a number of large hexagonal-shaped primary carbides and fine eutectic carbides were formed. These large primary carbides were so hard and brittle that they easily fractured or fell off from the matrix, thereby deteriorating the wear resistance and fracture toughness. In the alloys containing a smaller amount of chromium, however, a network structure of eutectic carbides having a lower hardness than the primary carbides was developed well along solidification cell boundaries and led to the improvement of both wear resistance and toughness. The addition of molybdenum also helped enhance the wear resistance by forming additional M₂C carbides without losing the fracture toughness. Under the duocasting conditions used in the present study, the appropriate compositions for wear resistance and fracture toughness were 17 to 18 pct chromium and 2 to 3 pct molybdenum.     

Optimizing fracture toughness and abrasion resistance in white cast irons

A series of twelve Cr-Mo white irons varying in carbide volume from 7 to 45 pct were tested for dynamic fracture toughness and wet sand abrasion resistance. Carbon content was varied from 1.4 to 3.9 pct. Two matrix microstructures were employed, and the compositions (copper and chromium content) were varied to assure constant matrix compositions. Chromium was varied from 11.6 to 25.7 pct. In addition, one composition of white iron was subjected to thirty different heat treatments to define the effect of matrix microstructure on dynamic fracture toughness and abrasion resistance. It was shown that for the abrasive wear system used, a carbide volume of about 30 pct represented an optimum quantity, above which abrasion resistance decreased. Martensitic irons provided consistently better abrasion resistance than austenitic irons. Dynamic fracture toughness decreased with carbide volume, as expected. Higher toughness values were obtained with predominantly austenitic matrix microstructures than with predominantly martensitic matrix microstructures. Considering both abrasion resistance and fracture toughness, it was shown that heat treated irons could provide an optimal combination of these properties. Formerly Visiting Research Metallurgist, Climax Molybdenum Co. Research Laboratory.     

Effect of cerium on abrasive wear behaviour of hardfacing alloy

Hardfacing alloys with different amounts of ceria were prepared by self-shielded flux cored arc welding.The abrasion tests were carried out using the dry sand-rubber wheel machine according to JB/T 7705-1995 standard.The hardness of hardfacing deposits was meas-ured by means of HR-150AL Rockwell hardness test and the fracture toughness was measured by the indentation method.Microstructure characterization and surface analysis were made using optical microscopy,scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy spectrum analy-sis.The results showed that the wear resistance was determined by the size and distribution of the carbides,as well as by the matrix micro-structure.The main wear mechanisms observed at the surfaces included micro-cutting and micro-ploughing of the matrix.The addition of ceria improved the hardness and fracture toughness of hardfacing deposits,which would increase the resistance to plastic deformation and scratch,thus the wear resistance of hardfacing alloys was improved.     

Some observations of the influence of δ-ferrite content on the hardness,galling resistance,and fracture toughness of selected commercially available iron-based hardfacing alloys

Iron-based weld hardfacing deposits are used to provide a wear-resistant surface for a structural base material. Iron-based hardfacing alloys that are resistant to corrosion in oxygenated aqueous environments contain high levels of chromium and carbon, which results in a dendritic microstructure with a high volume fraction of interdendrite carbides which provide the needed wear resistance. The ferrite content of the dendrites depends on the nickel content and base composition of the iron-based hardfacing alloy. The amount of ferrite in the dendrites is shown to have a significant influence on the hardness and galling wear resistance, as determined using ASTM G98 methods. Fracture-toughness (K _IC) testing in accordance with ASTM E399 methods was used to quantify the damage tolerance of various iron-based hardfacing alloys. Fractographic and microstructure examinations were used to determine the influence of microstructure on the wear resistance and fracture toughness of the iron-based hardfacing alloys. A crack-bridging toughening model was shown to describe the influence of ferrite content on the fracture toughness. A higher ferrite content in the dendrites of an iron-based hardfacing alloy reduces the tendency for plastic stretching and necking of the dendrites, which results in improved wear resistance, high hardness, and lower fracture-toughness values. A NOREM 02 hardfacing alloy has the most-optimum ferrite content, which results in the most-desired balance of galling resistance and high K _IC values.     

The Role of Silicon in the Solidification of High-Cr Cast Irons

This work analyzes the effect of different additions of silicon (0 to 5.0 pct) on the structure of a high-Chromium white cast iron, with chromium content of 16.8 pct and carbon 2.56 pct. The alloys were analyzed in both as-cast and heat-treated conditions. Casting was undertaken in metallic molds that yielded solidification rates faster than in commercial processes. Nevertheless, there was some degree of segregation of silicon; this segregation resulted in a refinement in the microstructure of the alloy. Silicon also generated a greater influence on the structure by destabilizing the austenitic matrix, and promoted greater precipitation of eutectic carbides. Above 3 pct silicon, pearlite formation occurred in preference to martensite. After the destabilization heat treatment, the matrix structure of the irons up to 3 pct Si consisted of secondary carbides in a martensitic matrix with some retained austenite; higher Si additions produced a ferritic matrix. The different as-cast and heat-treated microstructures were correlated with selected mechanical properties such as hardness, matrix microhardness, and fracture toughness. Silicon additions increased matrix microhardness in the as-cast conditions, but the opposite phenomenon occurred in the heat-treated conditions. Microhardness decreased as silicon content was increased. Bulk hardness showed the same behavior. Fracture toughness was observed to increase up to 2 pct Si, and then decreased for higher silicon contents. These results are discussed in terms of the effect of eutectic carbides’ size and the resulting matrix due to the silicon additions.     

Solidification and solid-state transformation mechanisms in Si alloyed high-chromium white cast irons

Chromium white cast irons are widely used in environments where severe abrasion resistance is a dominant requirement. To improve the wear resistance of these commercially important irons, the United States Bureau of Mines and CSIRO Australia are studying their solidification and solid-state transformation kinetics. A ternary Fe-Cr-C iron with 17.8 wt pct (pct) Cr and 3.0 pct C was compared with commercially available irons of similar Cr and C contents with Si contents between 1.6 and 2.2 pct. The irons were solidified and cooled at rates of 0.03 and 0.17 K · s^-1 to 873 K. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) showed that Si depresses the eutectic reaction temperature and suggests that is has no effect upon the volume of eutectic carbides formed during solidification. Microprobe analysis revealed that austenite dendrites within the Si alloyed irons cooled at 0.03 and 0.17 K·s^-1 had C and Cr contents that were lower than those of dendrites within the ternary alloy cooled at the same cooling rate and a Si alloyed iron that was water quenched from the eutectic temperature. These lower values were shown by image analysis to be the result of both solid-state growth (coarsening) of the eutectic carbides and some secondary carbide formation. Hardness measurements in the as-cast condition and after soaking in liquid nitrogen suggest an increase in the martensite start temperature as the Si content was increased. It is concluded that Si’s effect on increasing the size and volume fraction of eutectic carbides and increasing the matrix hardness should lead to improved wear resistance over regular high-chromium white cast irons.     

Microstructure Aspects of a Newly Developed, Low Cost, Corrosion-Resistant White Cast Iron

The purpose of this work is to study the influence of heat treatment on the corrosion resistance of a newly developed white cast iron, basically suitable for corrosion- and wear-resistant applications, and to attain a microstructure that is most suitable from the corrosion resistance point of view. The composition was selected with an aim to have austenitic matrix both in as-cast and heat-treated conditions. The difference in electrochemical potential between austenite and carbide is less in comparison to that between austenite and graphite. Additionally, graphitic corrosion which is frequently encountered in gray cast irons is absent in white cast irons. These basic facts encouraged us to undertake this work. Optical metallography, hardness testing, X-ray diffractometry, and SEM–EDX techniques were employed to identify the phases present in the as-cast and heat-treated specimens of the investigated alloy and to correlate microstructure with corrosion resistance and hardness. Corrosion testing was carried out in 5 pct NaCl solution (approximate chloride content of sea water) using the weight loss method. In the investigated alloy, austenite was retained the in as-cast and heat-treated conditions. The same was confirmed by X-ray and EDX analysis. The stability and volume fraction of austenite increased with an increase of heat-treated temperature/time with a simultaneous decrease in the volume fraction of massive carbides. The decrease in volume fraction of massive carbides resulted in the availability of alloying elements. These alloying elements, on increasing the heat treatment temperature or increasing the soaking period at certain temperatures, get dissolved in austenite. As a consequence, austenite gets enriched as well as becomes more stable. On cooling from lower soaking period/temperature, enriched austenite decomposes to lesser enriched austenite and to a dispersed phase due to decreasing solid solubility of alloying elements with decreasing temperature. The dispersed second phase precipitated from the austenite adversely influenced corrosion resistance due to unfavorable morphology and enhanced galvanic action. Corrosion rate and hardness were found to decrease with an increase in heat treatment temperatures/soaking periods. It was essentially due to the increase in the volume fraction and stability of the austenitic matrix and favorable morphology of the second phase (carbides). The corrosion resistance of the investigated alloy, heat treated at 1223 K (950 °C) for 8 hours, was comparable to that of Ni-Resist iron. Thus, a microstructure comprising austenite and nearly spherical and finer carbides is the most appropriate from a corrosion point of view. Fortunately, the literature reveals that the same microstructure is also well suited from a wear point of view. It confirms that this investigated alloy will be suitable for corrosive-wear applications.     

Microstructure and Properties of Fe-Cr-C Hardfacing Alloys Reinforced with TiC-NbC

The hypereutectic Fe-Cr-C hardfacing alloys with different contents of TiB2 and Nb were prepared by selfshielded flux cored arc welding.The microstructure of a series of hypereutectic Fe-Cr-C hardfacing alloys added with various TiB2 and Nb contents was investigated by using optical microscopy(OM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and X-ray diffraction(XRD).In addition,their Rockwell hardness,microhardness and resistance to abrasive wear were tested.The results showed that the microstructure of a series of hypereutectic Fe-Cr-C hardfacing alloys consisted mainly of martensite,austenite,primary M7C3 carbides and eutectic M7C3 carbides.With the addition of TiB2,a new hard-phase TiC was produced in the hardfacing alloys.And in the alloys added with TiB2 and Nb,a new hard composite phase TiC-NbC was formed.The microhardness of the matrix was improved by adding TiB2 and Nb,but the effect on the Rockwell hardness of Fe-Cr-C hardfacing alloys was insignificant.The addition of TiB2 and Nb can also decrease the size of the primary M7C3 carbides and make the primary M7C3 homogeneous.As a result,the reinforced matrix,the more homogeneous primary M7C3 carbides,and the new hard-phase TiC-NbC all improved the wear resistance of Fe-Cr-C hardfacing alloys.     

Solidification structure and abrasion resistance of high chromium white irons

Superior abrasive wear resistance, combined with relatively low production costs, makes high Cr white cast irons (WCIs) particularly attractive for applications in the grinding, milling, and pumping apparatus used to process hard materials. Hypoeutectic, eutectic, and hypereutectic cast iron compositions, containing either 15 or 26 wt pct chromium, were studied with respect to the macrostructural transitions of the castings, solidification paths, and resulting microstructures when poured with varying superheats. Completely equiaxed macrostructures were produced in thick section castings with slightly hypereutectic compositions. High-stress abrasive wear tests were then performed on the various alloys to examine the influence of both macrostructure and microstructure on wear resistance. Results indicated that the alloys with a primarily austenitic matrix had a higher abrasion resistance than similar alloys with a pearlitic/bainitic matrix. Improvement in abrasion resistance was partially attributed to the ability of the austenite to transform to martensite at the wear surface during the abrasion process.     

The effect of retained austenite on the fracture toughness of high-speed steels

The aim of this work was to find the quantitative dependences between fracture toughness K_lc and the volume fraction of retained austenite in the matrix of quenched high-speed steels. The tests were carried out on three model alloys of a different content quotient of Mo: W which, after quenching, were gradually supercooled up to ? 196°C and then tempered at 450°C. Also the measurements of the content of retained austenite in the vicinity of the surface of a sample fracture were carried out. It was determined that after tempering at 450°C the fracture toughness of the matrix of high-speed steels is directly proportional to the content of retained austenite in it. Every 1 % by volume of retained austenite increases the fracture toughness K_lc of the matrix by about 5%, despite the fact that most probably it is completely transformed into fresh martensite in front of a propagating crack. Higher fracture toughness of the matrix of high-speed steels rich in molybdenum should be explained exlusively by a larger content of retained austenite. Transformations in the martensitic part of the matrix of the alloys richer in molybdenum clearly reduce the advantageous effect of retained austenite on this steel feature.     

Correlation between Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of High C‐Cr Cast Steel

The effect of carbide morphology and matrix structure on abrasion resistance of cast alloyed steel with 2.57% C, 16.2% Cr and 0.78% Mo was studied in the as‐cast and heat treated conditions. Samples were austenitized at three different temperatures of 980, 1050 and 1250 °C for 15 minutes and followed by tempering at 540 °C for 3 hours. The austenitizing temperature of 980 °C revealed fully martensitic structure with little amount of retained austenite, while at 1050 °C the matrix was austenitic with massive amount of coarse secondary carbides. The austenitic matrix with very fine secondary carbides was developed at 1250 °C. The maximum abrasion resistance was obtained at 1050 °C due to the highest structure hardness and existence of both eutectic and secondary carbides in larger size than the formed groove by the abrasive particles during the wear test. On the other hand, the as‐cast pearlitic structure showed high wear rate by an applied load of up to 0.2 bar, followed by very rapid increase in wear rate with higher applied loads. It could be considered that the austenitizing temperature of 1050 °C showed better combination of abrasion resistance and toughness in comparison with other heat treatment cycles.     

The influence of heat treatment on the high-stress abrasion resistance and fracture toughness of alloy white cast irons

The influence of a range of austenitizing and subcritical (tempering) heat treatments on the high-stress abrasion resistance and fracture toughness of four commercially significant grades of alloy white cast iron was investigated. Complementing an earlier study^[1] on the influence of a more limited range of heat treatments on the gouging abrasion performance of the same alloys, the results showed that the effect of austenitizing temperature on high-stress abrasion pin test weight loss differed for each alloy. With increasing austenitizing temperature, these results ranged from a substantial improvement in wear performance and retention of hardness through to vir-tually no change in wear performance and substantial falls in hardness. Fracture toughness, however, increased markedly in all alloys with increasing austenitizing temperature. Tempering treatments in the range 400 °C to 600 °C, following hardening at the austenitizing temperature used commonly in industrial practice for each alloy, produced significant changes in both hard-ness and wear performance, but negligible changes in fracture toughness. Most importantly, the data showed that selection of the correct temperature for subcritical heat treatment to reduce the retained austenite content for applications involving repeated impact loading is critical if abrasion resistance is not to suffer.     

Structure and properties of corrosion and wear resistant Cr-Mn-N steels

Steels containing about 12 pct Cr, 10 pct Mn, and 0.2 pct N have been shown to have an unstable austenitic microstructure and have good ductility, extreme work hardening, high fracture strength, excellent toughness, good wear resistance, and moderate corrosion resistance. A series of alloys containing 9.5 to 12.8 pct Cr, 5.0 to 10.4 pct Mn, 0.16 to 0.32 pct N, 0.05 pct C, and residual elements typical of stainless steels was investigated by microstructural examination and mechanical, abrasion, and corrosion testing. Microstructures ranged from martensite to unstable austenite. The unstable austenitic steels transformed to α martensite on deformation and displayed very high work hardening, exceeding that of Hadfield’s manganese steels. Fracture strengths similar to high carbon martensitic stainless steels were obtained while ductility and toughness values were high, similar to austenitic stainless steels. Resistance to abrasive wear exceeded that of commercial abrasion resistant steels and other stainless steels. Corrosion resistance was similar to that of other 12 pct Cr steels. Properties were not much affected by minor compositional variations or rolled-in nitrogen porosity. In 12 pct Cr-10 pct Mn alloys, ingot porosity was avoided when nitrogen levels were below 0.19 pet, and austenitic microstructures were obtained when nitrogen levels exceeded 0.14 pct.     

The influence of microstructure on the fracture toughness of AISI M2 high‐speed steel

When modelling the fracture toughness of the investigated AISI M2 high‐speed steel, the stress‐modified critical strain criterion was used. The very important influence of microstructural parameters such as the volume fraction of undissolved eutectic carbides, their mean diameter, and the mean distance between the carbides, as well as the volume fraction of retained austenite in the matrix, was also taken into account. The influence of yield stress and fracture ductility was expressed in terms of the hardness of the steel. It was found that the plastic zone which develops, during fracture toughness measurements, ahead of the fatigue crack tip, was, as a rule, smaller than the prior austenite grain size, so that, in the case of the investigated high‐speed steel, the size of these grains did not have any influence on the measured fracture toughness value. However, importantly, the calculated fracture toughness values, which were derived using a newly developed semi‐empirical equation, agreed well with the experimental results obtained by the authors, as well as with results obtained by other authors.     

Effect of silicon on CGHAZ toughness and microstructure of microalloyed steels

The aim of this article is to present the beneficial effect of a reduction of silicon content on coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) toughness. This study was achieved with experi-mental and industrial E355 structural steels. These 0.09 wt pct C steels were Ti-microalloyed with silicon contents ranging from 0.05 to 0.5 wt pct. First, we demonstrate that the CGHAZ toughness is predominantly affected by the volume fraction of retained austenite (γr). Second, we show that the existence of retained austenite pertains only to its carbon enrichment. This enrichment is promoted essentially by an increase of the silicon level due to the retarding action of silicon on the formation of carbides in ferrite as well as in austenite. In the same way, the increase of silicon content slows down the decomposition of retained austenite into pearlite. The reduction of the silicon content of the steel greatly increases the ductility of the CGHAZ through the decrease of the volume fraction of retained austenite. Formerly Graduate Students, Physical Metallurgy Laboratory, University of Lille.