Formation of carbonitride precipitates in hardfacing alloy with niobium addition

Niobium, as the most effective second-phase forming element, was added in the Fe-Crl3-C-N hard- facing alloy to get carbonitride precipitates. Morphology and composition of carbonitride in the hardfacing alloy were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalyzer. The ther- modynamics and the effect on the matrix of the formation of carbonitride were also discussed. It was found that niobium carbonitrides are complex Nb（C, N） precipitate distributed on grain boundary and matrix of the hardfacing alloy. Under as-welded condition, primary carbonitride particles were readily precipitated from the hardfacing alloy with large size and morphology as they were formed already during solidification. Under heat treatment condi- tion, a large number of secondary carbonitrides can pre- cipitate out with very fine size and make a great secondary hardening effect on the matrix. As a result, addition of niobium in the hardfacing alloy can prevent the formation of chromium-rich phase on grain boundaries and inter- granular chromium depletion.

Microstructure and wear property of hardfacing alloy with nitrogen strengthening

The nitrogen-alloying hardfacing alloy of the martensitic stainless steel was deposited on a low carbon steel substrate using hardfacing flux-cored wire. Microstructure and surface hardness of hardfacing alloy were investigated and measured by optical microscope and microhardness tester. Carbonitrides of the hardfacing alloy were observed by electron probe. The wear behaviour of the hardfacing alloy was studied using the belt abrasion test apparatus and the worn surface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The results showed that carbonitride particles in the hardfacing alloy are complex MX （ M： alloy elements ; X： C, N） precipitate with fine size. These carbonitride particles distributed homogeneously in the hardfacing alloy and had a good strengthening effect on the wear property. The wear property of the hardfacing alloy with nitrogen was better than the one without nitrogen.

Effect of Titanium Content on Microstructure and Wear Resistance of Hardfacing Alloy

The hardfacing alloys with different concentrations of titanium were deposited on carbon steel substrates by shielded metal arc welding, and the effect of titanium content on the microstructure characteristics of the hardfacing alloys was investigated. The wear resistance test of the hardfacing alloys was carried out by using a slurry rubber wheel abrasion test machine, and the wear behaviour was also studied. The results indicate that the addition of titanium can effectively promote the precipitation of the complex carbides of Nb and Ti due to the prior precipitation of titanium carbide which acts as nucleation sites for complex carbides. With the increase of titanium content, the wear resistance of the hardfacing alloys is increased gradually resulting from the refinement of microstructure and dispersive distribution of fine carbide precipitates. And the wear mechanism is mainly minimum plastic deformation with interrupted grooves due to the strengthening and protecting effects of carbide precipitates.

Formation mechanism of titanium and niobium carbides in hardfacing alloy

The most effective carbide-forming elements titanium and niobium were added into hardfacing alloy.Formation and composition of carbides in the hardfacing alloy were investigated by means of optical microscope（OM）,scanning electron microscope（SEM）,X-ray diffraction（XRD）and energy-dispersive spectrometer（EDS）.Hardness and impact toughness of the hardfacing alloy were measured.The thermodynamics and formation mechanism of carbides were also discussed.It is found that the carbides consist of TiC and NbC which are able to form directly from welding pool during the welding process.The formation mechanism of carbides involves nucleation of TiC followed by epitaxial precipitation of NbC on the surface of TiC.The formation of titanium and niobium carbides can obviously refine the microstructure and deplete the carbon in the matrix.The micros tructure transforms to well-distributed carbides and a tough martensite matrix,contributing to a good combination of high hardness and high toughness in the hardfacing alloy.

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

The hypereutectic Fe-Cr-C hardfacing alloys with different contents of TiB_2 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 TiB_2 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 TiB_2,a new hard-phase TiC was produced in the hardfacing alloys.And in the alloys added with TiB_2 and Nb,a new hard composite phase TiC-NbC was formed.The microhardness of the matrix was improved by adding TiB_2 and Nb,but the effect on the Rockwell hardness of Fe-Cr-C hardfacing alloys was insignificant.The addition of TiB_2 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.