Effect of ZTA ceramic particles strengthened high chromium white cast iron on three-body abrasion behavior

Abstract

The zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) and white cast iron Cr26 with 0, 15, 30 vol% ZTA ceramic particles were fabricated by using the infiltration casting process. The effect of ZTA ceramic addition on the microstructure, wear surface topography and the damage of the composites were further investigated. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffractometry results indicate that the ZTA ceramic reinforced white cast iron composites the microstructure contains Al2O3, ZrO2, M7C3 carbide and ferrite. Then the wear resistance of composites was investigated via abrasive wear tester. With the increasing of ZTA ceramic content improved the wear resistance because of the combined protective (the hard phase of ZTA ceramic) and supporting (the toughness matrix of high chromium white cast iron) effect under lower impact load 1 Kg. When the ZTA ceramic content greater than 15 vol%, the wear resistance decreases at load 2 Kg and 3 Kg because of the brittle fracture and peel off of the ZTA ceramic. In addition, with the addition of ZTA ceramic changed the mechanical properties results in the wear resistance improved under lower load. The surface roughness range of composites with ZTA ceramic addition has been analyzed using 3D laser scanning microscopy. The curve of roughness range drops at <15 vol% ZTA ceramic content and then rises at 15 vol%∼30 vol% ZTA ceramic content under 3 Kg load due to fracture and peeling off of ZTA ceramic.