Structure and properties of wear-resistant white cast irons

Abstract

1. The favorable combined effect of vanadium and chromium on the wear resistance of white cast iron is manifested when their contents are 2...6 and 0...12%, respectively. In this case, the optimal vanadium content in cast iron operating under complex conditions of shock and bending loads can be determined from the equation % V=3+1/3 (% Cr) for a chromium content of not more than 12%. 2. The increase in the wear resistance of white cast irons when alloyed with vanadium is governed by the following factors: its modifying effect and the effect of structure inversion; a reduction in the amount of ledeburitic segments; and, the high hardness of the vanadium carbide particles with their optimal morphology. 3. The wear resistance of chromium-vanadium cast irons of the optimal composition (2.8...3.2% C; 0.4...0.8% Si; 0.8...1.5% Mn; 6...9% Cr; 4...6% V) with a hardness of HRC 63...66 is 8...10 times higher than that of steel ShKh15 with a hardness of HRC 61...62.