EFFECT OF CARBON CONTENT ON MICROSTRUCTURE EVOLUTION AND PROPERTIES OF HYPEREUTECTIC HIGH CHROMIUM CAST IRON

Abstract

This study is to reveal the influence of the amount of carbon content on the microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and wear properties of Hypereutectic High Chromium Cast Iron (HHCCI). The results indicated that the carbon content plays a key role in the regulation of carbides in the cast iron microstructure. As the amount of carbon content rises, the primary carbides in the cast iron microstructure become apparently coarser, and the volume fraction of carbides gradually increases. The carbide volume fraction reaches 62% when the carbon content is 5[Formula: see text]wt.%. When the value of the carbon content increases, the accumulation and growth of eutectic carbides in the heat-treated cast iron become more and more obvious. After heat treatment, a large number of secondary carbides will be precipitated from the austenite matrix, in the form of fine particles or short rods, with a dispersed distribution. The macroscopic hardness of HHCCI has increased. When the carbon content is 3.5[Formula: see text]wt.%, the macroscopic hardness is 61.2 HRC, and when the carbon content becomes 5[Formula: see text]wt.%, it reaches 64.3 HRC. The wear resistance of HHCCI increases with the value of the carbon content increases. When the carbon content was increased from 3.5[Formula: see text]wt.% to 5.0[Formula: see text]wt.%, the wear resistance of the material increased by 85.7%. The wear of HHCCI is mainly adhesive wear and fatigue wear, and the wear morphology is mainly spalling pits and wear debris.