Wear Resistance and Dynamic Fracture Toughness of Hypoeutectic High-Chromium White Cast Iron Alloyed with Niobium and Vanadium

Abstract

The influence of mass fractions 1.5 % Nb and 1.5 % V, added singly and in combination, on the microstructural characteristics and properties relevant to the service performance of the hypoeutectic high-chromium white iron containing 18 % Cr and 2.9 % C, namely, the wear resistance and the fracture toughness, has been examined. The Fe-Cr-C-Nb-V alloy gives the best compromise between the wear resistance and the fracture toughness. The dynamic fracture toughness of this alloy is larger by about 42 % and the abrasion wear resistance is larger by about 33 % than the properties of the basic Fe-Cr-C alloy. The presence of NbC carbides in the structure, caused by adding niobium to the alloy, contributes to an improvement of the wear resistance and the dynamic fracture toughness. On the other hand, the higher fracture toughness was attributed to the strengthening during fracture, since very fine secondary carbide particles were present, mainly in the austenitic matrix (as a result of the vanadium addition). The secondary carbides that precipitate in the matrix regions also influence the abrasion behaviour. By increasing the matrix strength through a dispersion-hardening effect, the fine secondary carbides can increase the mechanical support of M7C3 eutectic carbides.