Microstructure and abrasive wear resistance of cast Ni-Cr-C alloys

Abstract

The abrasive wear behaviour of directionally solidified Ni-Cr-C alloys was investigated using a pin-type test. M 7C 3 carbide volume fractions (CVF) were varied from 0 to 40%. Two sets of alloys with different carbide and dendrite spacings were abraded with bonded SiC and corundum particles, varying the grit size and applied load. M 7C 3 carbides greatly improved the abrasive wear resistance against fine-grained SiC particles within the whole range of compositions. By refining the primary carbide structure in hypereutectic alloys, the wear resistance against coarse-grained SiC particles was also improved with increasing CVF although SiC is known to be much harder than M 7C 3. Coarse SiC abrasive particles had a detrimental effect on the wear resistance of all hypoeutectic alloys and, even more, of hypereutectic alloys if the primary carbides were coarse. In testing with corundum, the wear resistance always improved with increasing carbide volume fraction. Wear damage was arranged in three classes. First, SiC and corundum abrasives were partially broken from the substrate at the entrance edge of the specimen. The edges of SiC grains stayed sharp during the wear process whereas the edges of corundum particles were rounded or the corundum was crushed by M 7C 3 carbides. Secondly, damage in the wear surface occurred by fracturing of the edges of carbides facing the wear surface. In addition, SiC abrasives were able to groove carbides. Thirdly, coarse SiC grains transmitted shear stresses causing severe subsurface damage leading to microstructure disintegration and spalling of primary carbides. SiC transmitted larger shear stresses than corundum because the latter was separated by a thin layer of wear debris from the unworn material. The microstructural parameters influencing wear were CVF, size, morphology and distribution of carbides. Optimum wear resistance depended on the abrasive mineral. Alloys with high CVF and coarse primary carbides were best suited for wear with corundum whereas fine primary carbides were required to resist wear by SiC.