Mechanical and wear behavior of quenched and tempered alloyed hypereutectic gray cast iron

Abstract

The effect of tempering temperature (100–600°C) on the hardness and wear resistance of a series of quenched and tempered hypereutectic alloyed gray cast irons has been studied in this work. Hardness was observed decreases with increase in tempering temperature and this trend is influenced by alloying additions and the volume of graphite flakes. Hardness of alloyed gray irons is also influenced by solid solution strengthening of tempered ferrite and carbide content and their distribution. The wear loss of alloyed cast irons was found to be lowest at a tempering temperature of 100°C and 400°C. The optimum tempering temperature is 400°C with moderate hardness and low wear rate. This has been attributed to strengthening of the matrix at this temperature. Beyond 400°C, the wear rate increases significantly due to carbide coagulation.