Effect of microstructure on the corrosion and deformation behavior of a newly developed 6Mn-5Cr-1.5Cu corrosion-resistant white iron

An experimental study has been made of the effect of heat treatment on the transformation behavior of a 4.8 pct Cr white iron, alloyed with 6 pct Mn and 1.5 pct Cu, by employing optical metallography, X-ray diffractometry, and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques, with a view to assess the suitability of the different microstructures in resisting aqueous corrosion. The matrix microstructure in the as-cast condition, comprising pearlite + bainite/martensite, transformed to austenite on heat-treating at all the temperatures between 900 °C and 1050 °C. Increasing the soaking period at each of the heat-treating temperatures led to an increase in the volume fraction and stability of austenite. M₃C was the dominant carbide present in the as-cast condition. On heat-treating, different carbides formed: M₂₃C₆ carbide was present on heat-treating at 900 °C and 950 °C; on heat-treating at 1000 °C, M₇C₃ formed and persisted even on heattreating at 1050 °C. The possible formation of M₅C₂ carbide in the as-cast and heat-treated conditions (900 °C and 950 °C) is also indicated. Dispersed carbides (DC), present in austenite up to 950 °C, mostly comprised M₃C and M₅C₂. On stress relieving of the heat-treated samples, M₇C₃-type DC also formed. The hardness changes were found to be consistent with the micro-structural changes occurring on heat-treating. The as-cast state was characterized by a reasonable resistance to corrosion in 5 pct NaCl solution. On heat-treating, the corrosion resistance improved over that in the as-cast state. After 4 hours soaking, increasing the temperature from 900 °C to 1050 °C led to an improvement in corrosion resistance. However, after 10 hours soaking, corrosion resistance decreased on increasing the temperature from 900 °C to 950 °C and improved thereafter on increasing the heat-treating temperature. Deformation behavior responded to the microstructure on similar lines as the corrosion behavior. Although in an early stage of development, the composition thus developed betters the performance of 22 pct Ni containing Ni-Resist irons as far as strength and freedom from pitting and graphitic corrosion are concerned; however, the corrosion resistance is somewhat lower. In conclusion, the usefulness of the different microstructures in attaining a useful combination of corrosion resistance and deformation behavior has been assessed. The data thus generated provide definite clues to developing new materials with improved performance for resisting aqueous corrosion in marine environments. Formerly Postdoctoral Candidate, University of Roorkee