Thermal cracking of multicomponent white cast iron

Abstract

The effect of the volume fraction of eutectic carbides on the thermal fatigue resistance of multicomponent white cast iron has been investigated. Thermal fatigue tests were carried out for 100 and 500 cycles. Nucleation of thermal fatigue cracks took place mostly at the specimen surface, induced by mechanical and metallurgical stress raisers. The crack nucleated in the matrix as well as at the carbide/matrix interface or at the carbide itself. The surface crack density increased slightly for increasing volume fraction of eutectic carbides from 9 to 14%, approximately. Crack propagation took place mostly at the carbide/matrix interface or through the carbide. The propagation rate was affected by the carbide distribution: the higher was the 'carbide continuity/mean free path between carbides' ratio, the higher was the propagation rate. The propagation rate decreased with increasing test time, regardless of the volume fraction of eutectic carbides.