Heat Treatment Effect on Microstructure, Hardness and Wear Resistance of Cr26 White Cast Iron

High chromium cast iron（HCCI） is taken as material of coal water slurry pump impeller, but it is susceptible to produce serious abrasive wear and erosion wear because of souring of hard coal particles. The research on optimization of heat treatments to improve abrasive wear properties of HCCI is insufficient, so effect of heat treatments on the microstructure, hardness, toughness, and wear resistance of Cr26 HCCI is investigated to determine the optimal heat treatment process for HCCI. A series of heat treatments are employed. The microstructures of HCCI specimens are examined by using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The hardness and impact fracture toughness of as-cast and heat treated specimens are measured. The wear tests are assessed by a Type M200 ring-on block wear tester. The results show the following： With increase of the quenching temperature from 950 ℃ to 1050 ℃, the hardness of Cr26 HCCI increased to a certain value, kept for a time and then decreased. The optimal heat treatment process is 2 h quenching treatment at 1000 ℃, followed by a subsequent 2 h tempering at 400 ℃. The hardness of HCCI is related to the precipitation and redissolution of secondary carbides in the process of heat treatment. The subsequent tempering treatment would result in a slight decrease of hardness but increase of toughness. The wear resistance is much related to the ＂supporting＂ effect of the matrix and the ＂protective＂ effect of the hard carbide embedded in the matrix, and the wear resistance is further dependent on the hardness and the toughness of the matrix. This research can provide an important insight on developing an optimized heat treatment method to improve the wear resistance of HCCI.

Effect of scanning speed during PTA remelting treatment on the microstructure and wear resistance of nodular cast iron

The surface of nodular cast iron （NCI） with a ferrite substrate was rapidly remelted and solidified by plasma transferred arc （PTA） to induce a chilled structure with high hardness and favorable wear resistance. The effect of scanning speed on the microstructure, micro-hardness distribution, and wear properties of PTA-remelted specimens was systematically investigated. Microstructural characterization in-dicated that the PTA remelting treatment could dissolve most graphite nodules and that the crystallized primary austenite dendrites were transformed into cementite, martensite, an interdendritic network of ledeburite eutectic, and certain residual austenite during rapid solidifica-tion. The dimensions of the remelted zone and its dendrites increase with decreased scanning speed. The microhardness of the remelted zone varied in the range of 650 HV0.2 to 820 HV0.2, which is approximately 2.3-3.1 times higher than the hardness of the substrate. The wear re-sistance of NCI was also significantly improved after the PTA remelting treatment.

Influence of vanadium and chromium additions on the wear resistance of a gray cast iron

A low-alloy gray cast iron containing hard carbide-forming elements, such as vanadium and chromium, was cast by sand mould casting. Its wear resistance was compared with that of an untreated gray cast iron. Three different loading conditions were tested under a con- stant speed. It was observed that this alloy could reduce the wear loss of standard gray cast iron by up to 89%, which was much greater than what was achieved in previous reports. Scanning electron microscopy （SEM） was used to determine the predominant wear mechanism of both the alloys. In a mild wear regime, the oxidative mechanism was predominant; however, in a severe wear regime, this mechanism was not predominant and the adhesive mechanism was involved. EDX analysis was conducted to evaluate the quantitative amounts of elements in the tribochemical films formed on the wear tracks.

Microstructure and wear resistance of highchromium cast iron containing niobium

In the paper, the effect of niobium addition on the microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of high chromium cast iron has been studied. The results show that the microstructure of the heattreated alloys is composed of M7C3 and M23C6 types primary carbide, eutectic carbide, secondary carbide and a matrix of martensite and retained austenite. NbC particles appear both inside and on the edge of the primary carbides. The hardness of the studied alloys maintains around 66 HRC, not significantly affected by the Nb content within the selected range of 0.48%-0.74%. The impact toughness of the alloys increases with increasing niobium content. The wear resistance of the specimens presents little variation in spite of the increase of Nb content under a light load of 40 N. However, when heavier loads of 70 and 100 N are applied, the wear resistance increases with increasing Nb content.

Study on the Thermal Fatigue Behavior of Hot Deformed Wear Resistance Cast Iron and Effect of Carbide

The thermal fatigue behavior of wear resistance cast iron with different quantity of deformation has been investigated. The results show that eutectic carbide is the main location and passage for initiation and extension of thermal fatigue cracks, approving that the more serious, the carbide breaks. The higher thermal fatigue resistance of wear resistance cast iron will be and thermal fatigue fracture belongs mainly to brittleness.

Effect of Cooling Rate after hot Deformation on Structure and Mechanical Properties of Low Alloy Wear Resistance Cast iron

The effect of cooling rate after 40% hot deformation on structure and mechanical properties of low alloy wear resistance cast iron was investigated by metallographic, scanning electron microscopes and detection of properties. The results show that for the cast steel after deformed, the amount of granular carbides of precipitation during the cooling decreased with the increase of the cooling rate, but the hardness was obviously enhanced, as a result, better mechanical properties will be obtained by force air cooling(cooling rate is about 7 ℃·s-1). And the reason of the change for structure and mechanical properties of the cast steel were analyzed.

Influence of Rare Earth on Wear Resistance of Wear Resistant Cast Iron Containing Low Alloy

The Influence of RE on wear resistance of wear resistant cast iron containing low alloy was studied by means of slide wear and impact wear test. Moreover, its microstructure and characteristics of wearing surface was analyzed. The experimental results show that RE can improve the wear resistance of wear resistant cast iron containing low alloy, especially for impact wear resistance. The optimum wear resistance of wear resistant cast iron containing low alloy modified by RE of 0.046% can be obtained by normalization at 950 ℃ for 3 h. Moreover, the coordinated effect of rare earths and heat treatment was also revealed in this paper.

RESEARCH AND APPLICATION OF AS-CAST WEAR RESISTANCE HIGH CHROMIUM CAST IRON

The influence of alloy elements, such as boron and silicon, on the microstructure and properties of as cast high chromium cast iron is studied. The results show that boron and silicon have a great effect on the mechanical properties and the wear resistance. Through proper addition of boron and silicon, the properties of as cast high chromium cast iron can be improved effectively. Through analyzing the distribution of elements by scanning electron microscope, it has been shown that the addition of boron and silicon lowers the mass fraction of chromium saturated in as cast austenite, and makes it unstable and liable to be transformed into martensite. The as cast high chromium cast iron with proper content of boron and silicon is suitable for the manufacture of lining for asphalt concrete mixer and its wear resistance is 14 times that of lining made of low alloy white cast iron.

Effect of Hot Deformation on Formation and Growth of Thermal Fatigue Crackin Chromium Wear Resistant Cast Iron

The formation and growth of thermal fatigue crack in chromium wear resistant cast iron was investigated, and the effect of hot deformation on the crack was analyzed by means of optical microscope and scanning electron microscope and high frequency induction thermal fatigue tester. The results show that eutectic carbide is the main location and passage for initiation and extension of thermal fatigue cracks, hot deformation can improve the eutectic carbiders morphology and distribution, inhibit the generation and propagation of thermal fatigue cracks. In the experiment, the propagation rate of thermal fatigue crack reduces with the quantity of hot deformation increasing, which was analyzed in the point view of the activation energy of crack propagation.

Effect of RE Modification and Heat Treatment on Impact Fatigue Property of a Wear Resistant White Cast Iron

The morphology of carbides, as well as the generation and propagation of fatigue cracks in a wear resistant white cast iron after impact fatigue test were observed by means of optical microscope and SEM, and the relationship among the content of RE (rare earths) in the wear resistant white cast iron and the heating temperature as well as the length and propagation speed of the fatigue cracks were determined. Based on the obtained results, the effect of RE modification and heat treatment on the impact fatigue property was further studied. Experimental results show that addition of RE can defer the time required for the generation of fatigue cracks, reduce their propagation speed and increase the impact fatigue resistance. The aforesaid effect is more noticeable in case of combined RE modification with heat treatment, which can be attributed to the variation in morphology and the distribution of the eutectic carbide network.

Formation and Growth of Granular Carbides in Multiple Alloying Wear Resistant Cast Iron Containing RE Through Hot Deformation

The granular carbides formed from hot deformation in multiple alloying wear resistant cast iron were studied through the observation by means of optical microscope, SEM and TEM. The experimental results show that carbides with large size are formed from original short rhabdoid carbides existing in cast, those with small size directly nucleate in the matrix. Carbides with the size between the above are formed from precipitation induced by hot deformation. The bigger the deformation is, the larger the number of microsized granular carbides is. The mechanisms of nucleation and growth of granular carbides and the function of RE were discussed.

Effect of Cooling Rate on Structure and Properties of Wear-Resistant Low Chromium Cast Iron after Hot Deformation

The effect of cooling rate on structure and properties of wear-resistant low chromium cast iron after 40% hot deformation was investigated by metallographic and scanning electron microscope. The results show that the cooling rate is closely related to the structure and properties, and for the cast iron, the best comprehensive mechanical properties were obtained by forced air cooling with a cooling rate as about 7 ℃/s. The reason and regularity for the change of mechanical properties were analyzed.

Influence of RE on Carbide Morphology and Mechanical Property of Wear Resistant White Cast Iron

The influence of rare earths content on carbide morphology and mechanical properties of wear resistance of white cast iron was studied by means of metallographic examination,scanning electron microscopic examination and mechanical property test. The experiment results show that RE can change carbides from continuous network to isolated particles and improve the mechanical properties,especially in combination with proper heat treatment. The optimum properties of wear resistance of white cast iron modified by RE of 0.045% can be obtained by normalization at 960 ℃ for 2 h.

Influence of Heating Temperature on Property of Low Chromium Wear Resistant Cast Iron Containing Rare Earth

The influence of heating temperature on mechanical properties of low chromium wear resistant cast iron containing rare earth elements was studied by means of metallographic examination, scanning electron microscopic examination and mechanical property test. The experimental results show that heating temperature has great effect on impact toughness (α_k), bending fatigue (σ_(bb)) and relative toughness (σ_(bb)×f), but little effect on hardness (HRC). When the specimen was held at 960 ℃ for 3 h, it has better comprehensive mechanical properties, and the reason and regularity of the change for mechanical properties of the cast iron were reviewed.

Effect of RE Modification and Heat Treatment on Formation and Growth of Thermal Fatigue Crack in Wear Resistant Cast Iron Containing Low Alloy

The formation and growth of thermal fatigue crack and the function of RE and heat treatment in wear resistance of cast iron containing low alloy were investigated,and it was analyzed in view of the activation energy for the crack′s propagation. The results show that the thermal fatigue cracks are mainly generated at eutectic carbides,and the cracks are grown by themselves spreading and joining each other. RE can improve the eutectic carbide′s morphology,inhibit the generation and propagation of thermal fatigue cracks,therefore,promote the activation energy for the crack′s propagation,and especially,which is more noticeable in case of the RE modification in combination with heat treatment.

Effect of Rolling Process on Microstructure and Wear Properties of High Carbon Equivalent Gray Cast Iron

Rolling process based on the plastic deformation as a surface strengthening treatment was employed,aiming to improve the wear resistance ability and functional performance of the high carbon equivalent gray cast iron(HCEGCI).The microstructures and tribological performance of the untreated and rolled samples were characterized.In addition,the wear mechanism of HCEGCI samples was also studied via pin-on-disc tests.The experimental results show that the as-rolled samples possess the structure-refined layer of 15μm and work-hardened layer of 0.13 mm.In comparison with the surface hardness of untreated samples,the surface hardness of as-rolled samples increases by 84.6%(from 240HV0.1 to 443HV0.1)and the residual compressive stresses existed within the range of 0.2 mm.The wear rates of as-rolled samples were decreased by 38.4%,37.5%,and 44.4%under different loads of 5 N,10 N,and 15 N,respectively.The wear characteristics of the untreated samples mainly exhibit the peeling wear coupled with partial adhesive and abrasive wear.However,as for the as-rolled samples,the adhesive wear was limited by the structure-refined layer and the micro-crack propagation was controlled by the work-hardened layer.Therefore,the wear resistance of as-rolled samples can be improved significantly due to the low wearing degree of the friction contact zone.

Interaction between alloying and hardening of cast iron surface

To improve wear resistance of surface will increase the service life of gray cast iron directly. This paper presents that gray cast iron surface coated with alloy powder is locally remelted by TIG arc to increase the wear resistance. The influences of arc current and scanning rate etc on surface properties are found. Under different conditions, the microstructure, hardness and wear resistance of remelted layer are analyzed and measured. The results indicate that the gray cast iron surface can be strengthened by TIG arc local remelting treatment. Especially, surface alloying hardening effect is best and surface properties are improved remarkably.

Effect of vibration frequency on microstructure and performance of high chromium cast iron prepared by lost foam casting

In the present research, high chromium cast irons(HCCIs) were prepared using the lost foam casting(LFC) process. To improve the wear resistance of the high chromium cast irons(HCCIs), mechanical vibration was employed during the solidification of the HCCIs. The effects of vibration frequency on the microstructure and performance of the HCCIs under as-cast, as-quenched and as-tempered conditions were investigated. The results indicated that the microstructures of the LFC-produced HCCIs were refined due to the introduction of mechanical vibration, and the hardness was improved compared to that of the alloy without vibration. However, only a slight improvement in hardness was found in spite of the increase of vibration frequency. In contrast, the impact toughness of the as-tempered HCCIs increased with an increase in the vibration frequency. In addition, the wear resistance of the HCCIs was improved as a result of the introduction of vibration and increased with an increase in the vibration frequency.