Property improvement of stainless-steel-base surface composites fabricated by high-energy electron-beam irradiation

Abstract

This is a study on the fabrication of surface composites of SiC, TiC particulates, and AISI 304 substrate by high voltage electron beam irradiation. Using CaF2 powders as flux, two kinds of surface composites were fabricated for a comparative analysis of the microstructural modification and mechanical properties. Through the employed process, the powders and substrate surface were melted and surface composite layers were successfully formed in both cases. In the specimen fabricated with SiC powders, a volume fraction of Cr23C6 particles (−22 vol.%) were homogeneously distributed along solidification cell boundaries. The large amount of Cr23C6 particles in combination with solid solution hardening of Si in the matrix resulted in the improved hardness and wear resistance of the surface composite layer, that are 2 to 3 times those of the substrate. In the specimen fabricated with SiC and Ti+SiC powders, TiC and Cr23C6 particles were precipitated without precipitation of SiC.