Effect of V-Ti on the Microstructure and Abrasive Wear Behavior of 6CrC Cast Steel Mill Balls

Abstract

Iron-chromium cast alloys are basically abrasive wear resistant materials particularly employed in mining industry; these alloys are often utilized in the manufacture of milling balls. In particular, high Cr and high C cast alloys have been subjected of significant research; for instance, most reports have been addressed on analyzing the relation between microstructure and the abrasive wear behavior; however, there exist a reduced number of reports on relatively low Cr and low C cast alloys. In this research, five low Cr cast steels containing additions of V and Ti were melted in an open atmosphere induction furnace. Comparisons on the morphology, size, type and distribution of carbides were carried through optical microscopy, SEM and XRD. Hardness testing was employed at room temperature with the purpose of correlate to wear behavior. A laboratory pilotplant ball-mill set with a batch of ore was utilized in order to evaluate the abrasive wear resistance. According to microstructure observations, a martensitic primary matrix was revealed in all specimens. The fraction of M7C3 and M3C interdendritic eutectic carbides varied according to alloying level. Further results indicated that variations in the shape and size of M7C3 and M3C along with the presence of V and Ti carbides influenced on the abrasive wear behavior of low Cr cast steel mill balls.