Microstructural characterization of Hadfield austenitic manganese steel

Abstract

distribution of the precipitate in the modified Hadfield austenitic manganese steels [12‐18]. However, the associated decarburization with the heat-treatment has not been reported. In the present investigation, an effective solution heat-treatment has been adopted to dissolve the (Fe, Mn)3C carbides in Hadfield austenitic manganese steel. The influence of the solution annealing heat-treatment on the microstructure, hardness values and abrasive wear resistance of Hadfield austenitic manganese steel have been also discussed. The synthesis of the steel was carried out in a high frequency air induction furnace. At first the blend of steel scrap (0.049%C, 0.43%Mn, 0.028%Si, 0.023%P, 0.013%S, 0.003%Al, 0.035%Cr and balance Fe, all in wt.%) and cast iron (4.5%C, 0.043%Mn, 1.05%Si, 0.175%P, 0.043%S and balance Fe, all in wt.%) was heated to 1,580 C and maintained at that temperature for 15 min followed by addition of calculated amount of electrolytic manganese (95% purity) to the melt. The melt was stirred continuously at this temperature for 10 min and finally cast in a metallic mould.