Effects of Carbon Concentration Variation on Primary Austenite Stability of High Chromium Cast Iron

Abstract

The effect of carbon content on primary austenite stability of high chromium white cast iron(15.0wt.%) was investigated by means of optical microscopy(OM) and energy spectrum spectrometry(EDS).The results indicate that with increasing the concentration of carbon,the carbon of solid solution in the primary austenite increased, while the chromium was on the contrary, The increase of carbon content stabilized primary austenite under the condition that no secondary carbides precipitated, however, once secondary carbides precipitated, the stability of primary austenite deteriorated with the increase of carbon contents. 2.63wt.% C was the critical value of the secondary carbides precipitation in high chromium white cast iron(15.0wt.%).