Influence of aluminium and niobium alloying on phase composition, structure and properties of heat- and wear-resistant cast iron of Cr-Mn-Ni-Ti system

Abstract

The paper presents the data on phase composition and structure forming for the alloys and oxide layers, on distribution of elements among the alloy structural components and oxidation surface through the depth of oxide and sub-oxide layers, on variation of wear resistance, scale resistance, growing stability and mechanical properties of cast iron of Cr-Mn-Ni-Ti-Al-Nb system depending on different aluminium and niobium content and thermal accumulating capacity of a casting mould. Complex carbides (Nb, Ti)C are forming in white cast iron during niobium alloying. Quantitative metallographic analysis of (Nb, Ti)C carbides and (Cr, Fe, Mn)7C3 complex carbides was carried out on the samples with examined composition. The tests for scale resistance were conducted, structure and properties of cast iron were investigated. It was determined that chemical composition and structure of oxide layers depend on distribution of alloying elements among the alloy structural components. It was established that the areas of oxide film surface layer, which were formed on eutectics, contain mainly manganese; its concentration is more than 65 %, while Al is 4 % and Cr is 1 %. Manganese leads to increase of defects amount, such as pores, micro-cracks and vacancies, in oxide film during high-temperature gas oxidation; penetration ability of this film also increases, what has a negative effect on metal resistance to further destruction caused by oxidation. The film becomes porous, its thickness enlarges. Aluminium provides favourable influence on forming of the thin protective spinel-type films (dense substance with good metal adhesion) with minimal amount of defects; diffusion through such oxide film is very difficult. The areas of oxide layer, which were formed on austenite dendrites, contain mainly aluminium; its concentration is more than 24 %, while Mn is 16 % and Cr is 12 %. High aluminium content provides small film thickness. Joint alloying by aluminium and niobium leads to simultaneous increase of heat resistance and wear resistance. Wear resistance increased as a result of enlargement of the part of primary carbides (Nb, Ti)C with high hardness in the structure of cast iron. Composition of oxide films includes aluminium which strengthens their protective properties and rises of the alloy scale resistance. Alloying by niobium leads to secondary hardening during cooling in a casting mould. Dispersion particles of М7С3 carbides are forming in solid state, thereby no structure degradation occurs during testing at increased temperatures, and growing stability rises.