Effect of Niobium and Vanadium Additions on the As-Cast Microstructure and Properties of Hypoeutectic Fe-Cr-C Alloy

Abstract

The effect of niobium and vanadium additions (0.5 mass% and 2 mass%) on the as-cast microstructure and properties of hypoeutectic white cast iron containing 19 mass% Cr and 2.9 mass% C, has been examined. NbC carbides present in the structure of tested Fe-Cr-CNb alloys, due to their characteristic morphology, show higher wear resistance and toughness than M7C3 carbides. Increasing amount of this type of carbides, caused by the increase of niobium in the alloy, contributes to the improvement of wear resistance and dynamic fracture toughness. The alloy containing 2% Nb gives the best compromise between wear resistance and fracture toughness. This alloy shows about 23% greater dynamic fracture toughness and about 25% greater abrasion wear resistance than the basic Fe-Cr-C alloy. Besides, the secondary carbides which precipitate in the matrix regions of the tested Fe-Cr-C-V white irons also influence the abrasion behaviour and fracture toughness. The alloy containing 0.5% V has approximately the same fracture toughness but lower wear resistance than alloy with 2% Nb.