Carbide Segregation Research Articles

Revealing the evolution behavior of multiple carbides precipitation and mechanical response in M54 secondary hardening steel

As a new type of secondary hardening ultra-high strength steel, the evolution behavior of multiple carbides and its effect on the strength–toughness of M54 steel have been studied by subjecting to tempering duration (2– 10 h) at 520 °C. Within tempering of 2– 4 h, there is incompletely dissolved cementite with intra-granular distribution; however, it does not deteriorate the impact toughness. Without the observation of cementite, it shows the largest precipitation density of M2C carbides after 8 h-tempering, with the maximum density of 650 μm−2 and minimum inter-particle distance of 12.3 nm. Prolonged tempering of 10 h does not lead to coarsening due to the low diffusivity of constituent W element and coherent relationship of M2C/matrix interface. However, there is obvious segregation of MC carbides along the long-axis of M2C carbides in growth. The favorable precipitation of M2C carbides mostly contributes to the highest yield strength of 1747 MPa and ultimate tensile strength of 2037 MPa in case of 8 h-tempering. The stable ultrafined martensite blocks (∼0.30 μm) and high ratio of high-angle grain boundaries (∼50%) guarantee the desirable V-notched impact absorbed energy of ∼30 J for the 2– 8 h-tempering. Unfortunately, due to the insufficient ability of arresting propagating cracks, the possible preferential MC carbides-distributed sub-grain boundaries leads to an obvious degradation of impact toughness (∼18 J) in the 10 h-tempered samples.

Thermo-mechanical fatigue behavior and microstructure evolution of 4Cr5Mo3V hot work die steel

Thermo-mechanical fatigue (TMF) testing was used to study the fatigue behavior of 4Cr5Mo3V hot work die steel to reflect the in-service conditions. The synergistic effect of cyclic temperature and mechanical load was investigated using a strain-controlled method. Our results confirmed that the cyclic softening degree of 4Cr5Mo3V steel increased as the mechanical strain amplitude get bigger, leading to a reduction of the fatigue life. The microstructure evolution was studied before and after the TMF testing, and it was found the maximum texture strength in as-received steel decreased from 7.22 to 2.34 when the strain amplitudes was set as ± 1.1 %. Experimental evidence showed that martensite decomposition, oxidation, dislocation density reduction and carbide segregation all contributed to the final TMF failure. Severe deformation existed in the vicinity of the newly precipitated M2C carbide during the TMF process, acting as fatigue crack initiation sources due to stress concentration. Four different models were interrogated including Basquin-Coffin-Manson model, Smith-Watson-Topper (SWT) model, Ostergren model and 3SE energy model; and it was found that SWT model yielded the best fatigue life description. Nevertheless, all the four models showed reasonable fitting capability within the 2x scatter band, which proved the reliability of the experiments established in this study.

The mechanism and regulation of hot cracking in a new complex-concentrated alloy by a novel integrated directed energy deposition

Improving thermal efficiency in advanced ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plants relies on increased steam temperature and pressure, accelerating the emergence of newly complex-concentrated alloys (CCAs). However, the new developed CCA have a combined Al and Ti content for 4.87 wt%, which indicates a high susceptibility to hot cracking. In this work, the hot cracking problem for the CCA during the laser deposition process was studied. The eutectic of the matrix and carbides with a low melting point liquefied during reheating process. The hot cracking occurred with local unbearable stress concentration. Based on the above analysis of hot cracking, a novel integrated directed laser deposition method was proposed to flexibly adjust the microstructure evolution and stress distribution by thermal cycles to achieve the control of hot cracks. The microstructure evolution and the control of residual stress are realized by gas quenching and preheating substrates, respectively. The evidence was obtained to show that the coupled process with synchronous gas quenching during preheating can eliminate the hot cracks effectively. More specifically, the preheating process relieved the residual stress, and the local gas quenching simultaneously accelerated the liquid film solidification and reduced carbide segregation. Finally, the sample prepared by the integrated directed energy deposition presented superior overall performance with ultimate tensile strength of 991.84 MPa and elongation of 18.28 %. This work provides a meaningful reference for producing crack-free superalloys in metal additive manufacturing.

Processing of WC with Fe-based alternative binders: Adjustment of C content and effect of Cr addition

Alternative hard materials to traditional WC-Co are one of the main goals in the investigation efforts of both scientific and industrial communities. In this investigation, WC-based materials were designed and processed with different Fe alloys employing a powder metallurgy route. Two candidates were selected: FeCrAl and FeNiCr. The former showed the formation of aluminium oxides, which hindered a homogeneous metal-ceramic distribution. On the other hand, FeNiCr led to dense and optimised samples which were further characterised in terms of their mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. They revealed an excellent combination of hardness and toughness, comparable or even superior to industrial compositions containing Co. Selected Cr addition induced some segregation and formation of secondary carbides –in consonance with thermodynamic simulation results and as evidenced by optical microscopy, XRD and TEM analyses– with a decrease in the TRS value. However, massive nanoindentation tests revealed that it also led to improved intrinsic hardness of binder and composite (metal-ceramic) phases, as well as enhanced corrosion resistance in acidic media compared to Cr-free alternative and reference hardmetals.

Modeling Segregation of Fe–C Alloy in Solidification by Phase-Field Method Coupled with Thermodynamics

The primary carbide in high carbon chromium bearing steels, which arises from solute segregation during non-equilibrium solidification, is one of the key factors affecting the mechanical properties and performance of the related components. In this work, the effects of carbide forming element diffusion, primary austenite grain size, and the cooling rate on solute segregation and carbide precipitation during the solidification of an Fe–C binary alloy were studied by the phase-field method coupled with a thermodynamic database. It was clarified that increasing the ratio of solute diffusivity in solid and liquid, refining the grain size of primary austenite to lower than a critical value, and increasing the cooling rate can reduce the solute segregation and precipitation of primary carbide at late solidification. Two characteristic parameters were introduced to quantitatively evaluate the solute segregation during solidification including the phase fraction threshold of primary austenite when the solute concentration in liquid reaches the eutectic composition, and the maximum segregation ratio. Both parameters can be well-correlated to the ratio of solute diffusivity in solid and liquid, the grain size of primary austenite, and the cooling rate, which provides potential ways to control the solute segregation and precipitation of primary carbide in bearing steels.

Effect of the Laser Cladding Parameters on the Crack Formation and Microstructure during Nickel Superalloy Gas Turbine Engines Repair

Cracking of nickel superalloys with a high content of γ’-phase remains an unresolved problem, including in technologies for repairing gas turbine engines blades. Laser cladding is a method of material deposition used to repair parts exposed to aggressive environment and surface wear. Cladding parameters have a high influence on cracking susceptibility nickel superalloys. Alloy ZhS32 has a high propensity for hot cracking when exposed to laser radiation. In this work, the study of the structural and phase features of ZhS32 alloy was carried out. A high tendency to form segregation of refractory elements and carbides in the intergranular areas was found. The features of the structure and phase composition of the material for different cladding parameters were studied. The main contribution of technological parameters to the formation of cracks is shown.

Hot cracking during the fabrication of Inconel 625/stainless steel 308 L functionally graded material by dual-wire arc additive manufacturing

In the present work, dual-wire arc additive manufacturing was used to fabricate the functionally graded material (FGM) with a smooth composition transition from 100 wt% Inconel 625 (IN625) to 100 wt% stainless steel 308 L, whose composition transition was along the torch-travelling direction. With such a composition transition, position with the weakest mechanical properties could be clearly and easily located in the composition gradient path, allowing the issue to be fully exposed. During the fabrication, cracks were found near the position with IN625 of 20 wt%. By analyzing the fracture morphology and crack location, they were judged as liquation cracks, which belong to hot cracks. The segregation and aggregation of carbides at the grain boundary formed the low-melting-temperature eutectic phase, which is liquefied into the liquid film by the heating of subsequent layers and is then pulled apart by residual stress. According to the experimental results and the calculations of phase diagrams, the cracks always appeared near the position with IN625 of 20 wt%, where the FGM has the highest crack sensitivity. Therefore, it was determined as the weakest position of the FGM and its weakening mechanism could be clarified easier owing to the composition transition, which provides a high possibility to get better mechanical properties if a more targeted optimization method is applied. Process parameter optimization reduces the heat input per unit height to thin dendrites and to alleviate cracking, but there is still a cracking tendency in the weak composition range. The composition gradient path optimization, by removal of the corresponding composition range, can solve the cracking issue more thoroughly, and the tensile strength and elongation increased by 39.5 % and 221.7 %, respectively, which greatly improved the mechanical properties of the FGM.

Preliminary investigation on underwater wet welding of Inconel 625 alloy: microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion resistance

This paper aimed to investigate the feasibility of underwater wet welding for Inconel 625 alloy using Ni-based filler. The microstructure, elemental distribution, and properties of underwater wet welded Inconel 625 alloy joints were analyzed. The grain boundary type and grain growth orientation across the fusion boundary were particularly investigated. A continuous and smooth weld with no visible defects was obtained. The nickel based welds was fully austenite structure with extensive grain boundary migration. The heat-affected zone experienced obvious grain growth. A compositional transition zone with a width of 50 μm was observed across the fusion boundary. Apparent epitaxial growth across the fusion boundaries was found and the grain boundaries roughly perpendicular to the fusion boundaries are was mainly high angle grain boundaries. The density of low Σ CSL grain boundary in Inconel 625 base metal was higher than that in Ni-based weld metal. The ultimate tensile strength of underwater wet welded joints reached up to 83% that of Inconel 625 alloy. The impact toughness of HAZ was deteriorated because of the segregation of carbide and Laves phase in grain boundary. The corrosion resistance of Ni-based welds maintained at a high level based on the corrosion current density, although it was inferior to that of Inconel 625 alloy. The expected research results could enrich the underwater welding/repair technology of Ni-based alloy structures.

Microstructure manipulation mechanism and mechanical properties improvement of H13 steel via trace nano-(TiC + TiB2) particles

In this study, an innovative method, wherein trace in situ synthesized nano-(TiC+TiB2) particles are added forged H13 steel, was designed and used to manipulate its microstructure. This refined the grains and laths martensite, increased the retained austenite and carbides, and controlled the carbide segregation. Thus, the strength, plasticity, and toughness of the steel were simultaneously improved. Among the samples, the H13 steel, manipulated by 0.02 wt% nano-(TiC+TiB2) particles, exhibited the best mechanical properties. Its yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, unnotched impact toughness and U-notch impact toughness increased by 11.6%, 7.6%, 14.2%, 35.0% and 33.8%, respectively, and reached 1142 MPa, 1426 MPa, 16.9%, 449.3 J/cm2, and 41.39 J/cm2, respectively. The main strengthening mechanisms were grain boundary strengthening, dislocation strengthening and dispersion strengthening. This study provides a new method for the bonding between ceramic nanoparticles and steel and provides a novel idea for the development of high-performance and low-cost steel.

Tracing the Active Phase and Dynamics for Carbon Nanofiber Growth on Nickel Catalyst Using Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy.

Benefitting from outstanding ability of CC reforming and hydrogen activation, nickel is widely applied for heterogeneous catalysis or producing high-quality carbon structures. This high activity simultaneously induces uncontrollable carbon formation, known as coking. However, the activity origin for growing carbon species remains in debate between the on metallic facets induction and nickel carbide segregation. Herein, carbon growth on Ni catalyst is tracked via in situ microscopy methods. Evidence derived from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy imaging, diffraction, and energy loss spectroscopy unambiguously identifies Ni3 C as the active phase, as opposed to metallic Ni nickel or surface carbides as traditionally believed. Specifically, Ni3 C particle grows carbon nanofibers (CNF) layer-by-layer through synchronized oscillation of tip stretch and atomic step fluctuations. There is an anisotropic stress distribution in Ni3 C that provides the lifting force during nanofiber growth. Density functional theory computations show that it is thermodynamically favorable for Ni3 C to decompose into Ni and surface-adsorbed carbon. Carbonaceous deposits aggregate asymmetrically round the particle because partial surface is exposed to the hydrocarbon environment whereas the bottom side is shielded by the support. This induces a carbon concentration gradient within the particle, which drives C migration through Ni3 C phase before it exits as CNF growth.

Influence of heat input on bead profile and microstructure characteristics in laser and laser-hybrid welding of Inconel 617 alloy

Bead profile and microstructure analysis are greatly influenced by heat input in any welding process. The present work provides a comprehensive comparative investigation on these aspects during Autogenous Laser welding (ALW) and Laser-MIG Hybrid welding (LHW) processes in Inconel 617 superalloy. In case of LHW, weld bead profile formed was a typical wine-cup shaped one, whereas, in case of ALW, bead profile observed was Y-type shape on account of differences in number of heat sources and intensity profiles. Weld bead width and penetration depth were found to increase with heat input in both ALW and LHW processes. The fusion zone (FZ) area of LHW was found to increase by 3 times as compared to ALW as a result of high heat input in LHW than ALW. Indeed, the addition of MIG source to laser in LHW produced wide upper bead width (trebled) as compared to ALW. Radius of curvature (ROC) at neck zone, an important bead profile characteristic for assessing liquation cracking susceptibility, was found to increase with heat input and was significantly higher in LHW than ALW due to heat stagnation at neck zone. In comparison with ALW, LHW showed a coarser columnar/cellular dendritic microstructure in FZ with segregation of inter-dendritic carbides relatively richer in Mo and Cr. Secondary dendritic arm spacing (SDAS), cooling rates and microhardness will also be discussed.

Graphene Oxide-Induced Substantial Strengthening of High-Entropy Alloy Revealed by Micropillar Compression and Molecular Dynamics Simulation.

Plastic deformation mechanisms at micro/nanoscale of graphene oxide-reinforced high-entropy alloy composites (HEA/GO) remain unclear. In this study, small-scale mechanical behaviors were evaluated for HEA/GO composites with 0.0 wt.%, 0.3 wt.%, 0.6 wt.%, and 1.0 wt.% GO, consisting of compression testing on micropillar and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations on nanopillars. The experimental results uncovered that the composites exhibited a higher yield strength and flow stress compared with pure HEA micropillar, resulting from the GO reinforcement and grain refinement strengthening. This was also confirmed by the MD simulations of pure HEA and HEA/GO composite nanopillars. The immobile <100> interstitial dislocations also participated in the plastic deformation of composites, in contrast to pure HEA counterpart where only mobile 1/2 <111> perfect dislocations dominated deformation, leading to a higher yield strength for composite. Meanwhile, the MD simulations also revealed that the flow stress of composite nanopillar was significantly improved due to GO sheet effectively impeded dislocation movement. Furthermore, the mechanical properties of HEA/1.0 wt.% GO composite showed a slight reduction compared with HEA/0.6 wt.% GO composite. This correlated with the compositional segregation of Cr carbide and aggregation of GO sheets, indicative of lower work hardening rate in stress-strain curves of micropillar compression.

Effect of fabrication process on wear and impact toughness of high speed steel

Three kinds of high speed steels with similar composition were selected, which were produced by powder metallurgy (named PM20), spay forming (named SF20) and electroslag remelting (named ESR20) respectively. Their microstructure and mechanical properties were studied. The results indicated that the carbides in PM20 are fine and evenly distributed carbides, but there is carbide segregation in SF20, the carbides in ESR20 are banded distribution, carbide aggregation is much more serious than SF20. The segregation of carbides is beneficial to the wear property, but it will reduce the impact toughness. Consequently, PM20 has the worst wear properties but the best impact toughness, ESR20 is the opposite. The mechanical properties of SF20 are in between of them.

Effects of post-printing heat treatment on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a wire arc additive manufactured 420 martensitic stainless steel part

Abstract In this study, microstructural features and mechanical properties of a wire arc additively manufactured 420 martensitic stainless steel were investigated in as-printed and heat-treated conditions. Initial microstructural investigations on the as-printed part revealed the formation of residual δ-ferrite during the solidification process, which is known as a deleterious phase to both mechanical and corrosion performance of stainless steels. To remove the residual δ-ferrite and obtain a fully martensitic microstructure, the as-printed samples were subjected to different austenitizing temperatures of 950, 1050, 1150, and 1300 °C. Austenitizing at 1150 °C was selected as the optimum cycle due to removal of undesirable phases, such as δ-ferrite and carbides, resulting in a fully martensitic microstructure. Following the austenitizing heat treatment, the samples were tempered at different temperatures including 200, 300, 400, 500, and 600 °C. Increasing the tempering temperature was found to vary the size, morphology, and distribution of chromium carbides precipitated during the tempering process. Although, tempering at lower temperatures (200 and 300 °C) decreased the hardness due to the formation of tempered martensite and stress relieving of the structure, the intermediate temperature of 400 °C increased the hardness value by virtue of the formation of carbides at optimum size and distribution. However, tempering at 500 and 600 °C decreased the hardness as compared to 400 °C due to intergranular segregation and coarsening of carbides. The results of uniaxial tensile testing were consistent with the hardness measurements and confirmed that the tempering temperature of 400 °C led to the optimal combination of strength and ductility ascribed to the formation of fine and homogenously distributed chromium carbides embedded in a moderately tempered martensitic matrix.

Effect of inhomogeneity on the microstructural evolution and mechanical behaviour of a vanadium-containing Fe–Cr–Ni–Mo weld metal

Abstract Precipitation and mechanical behavior of a novel Fe–Cr–Ni–Mo weld metal containing different V contents in as-welded (AW) and post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) conditions were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atom probe tomography (APT). The results showed that the dislocation density increased significantly with an increase in the V content for PWHT weld metal owing to a higher volume fraction of the discrete nano-scale MC carbides pinning the dislocations. Therefore, strengthening contributions were mainly attributed to the precipitation strengthening and dislocation strengthening for PWHT weld metals containing V. The segregation of strong carbide forming elements (V and Mo) at inter-dendritic (ID) region, which was produced by solute redistribution during solidification, exhibited a major contributor to the continuous diffusion of C element from dendrite core (DC) to ID region during PWHT, so-called uphill diffusion. Also, TEM and APT showed that an inhomogeneous distribution of carbides owing to the V and Mo elemental segregation as well as the higher density dislocation at ID segregation, exhibiting that nano-scale M2C or MC carbides were mainly precipitated in ID region whilst large M3C carbides were mainly developed in DC region for PWHT weld metal.

Failure analysis of AISI 440C strand dies used in twin screw extruders during polymer compounding

In view of excellent wear and corrosion resistance, AISI 440C Martensitic Stainless steel finds wide use as Dies in Twin Screw Extruders in Polymer, Food and Pharma applications, especially when either additives, which could be corrosive, are added to aid compounding of polymers or moisture and/or free radicals are present in the processing material. Two AISI 440C Die Plates part of Strand Die Assembly in a φ40 mm size Twin Screw Extruder abruptly cracked during operation in succession disrupting regular production with the second failure occurring after about two years of the Extruder in service. While visual examination of the failed Die Plates showed presence of surface / sub-surface cracks and marks of corrosion, the sectioned Die Plate revealed multiple internal cracks. The hardness survey on the failed Die Plates confirmed values between 30 and 36 HRC, which are about 20–25 HRC lower than the hardness measured in as-supplied condition. Macro-examination of the sectioned Die Plate revealed multiple micro-crack origin locations together with strong evidence of corrosion. The microstructural examination showed carbide network along grain boundaries in a matrix consisting of tempered martensite and revealed intergranular fracture. Fractographic observations using Scanning Electron Microscopy on the cracked Die Plate clearly revealed segregation of fine carbides along crack boundaries. Based on detailed analyses, which included site data collection and investigation, the failure of Die Plates was attributed to Stress Corrosion Cracking. Finally, recommendations were proposed to prevent recurrence of such failures in service.

Enhancement of Properties of Micro-alloyed Low-Carbon Ni-Added Steel by Thermomechanical Treatment

The concurrent use of micro-alloying additions and thermomechanical treatment is a common practice for obtaining high-quality grades of forged steels. Judicious use of chemistry, heat treatment schedule, and controlled processing can lead to a wide range of microstructure and thus final properties suitable for the production of different parts for the automobile industry. In this paper, thermomechanical treatment of Ni-added micro-alloyed steel containing Nb, V, Ti has been carried out with different deformation schedules (50-70%) at high temperatures followed by the varying cooling rate (i.e., forced air cooling, oil quenching, and water quenching). The cooling rates for three conditions were measured as 5 °C/s for forced air cooling, 40 °C/s for oil quenched, and 110 °C/s for water quenched samples. Thermomechanical and post-tempering treatment cycles were employed for the steel with 1150 and 900 °C as upper and lower forging temperatures. The best combination of properties viz; YS: 1044 MPa, UTS: 1308 MPa, % El: 16.7, %RA: 57 and Impact Toughness: 50 J/cm2 could be achieved for 70% deformed samples, followed by forced air cooling. The reasons have been attributed to the segregation of Ti & Nb carbides at grain boundaries as revealed by microstructural analysis. This has led to restriction of grain boundary coarsening at high temperatures. Further, fine vanadium carbide and the presence of retained austenite have contributed to improving the elongation and toughness values.

Influence of Carbon Diffusion and the Presence of Oxygen on the Microstructure of Molybdenum Powders Densified by SPS

Due to molybdenum’s Body-Centered Cubic (BCC) crystalline structure, its ductile–brittle transition temperature is sensitive to shaping, purity and microstructure. Dense molybdenum parts are usually shaped by the powder metallurgy process. The aim of this work concerns the spark plasma sintering of high-purity powders prepared by inductively coupled plasma. The influence of carbon diffusion and its interaction with oxygen on the density (i.e., the densification stage) and on the microstructure (i.e., the grain growth stage) during spark plasma sintering was investigated. The formation of carbide is usually expected for a sintering temperature above 1500 °C leading to grain growth (e.g., more than 10 times larger than the initial powder grain size after sintering at 1900 °C for 10 min). The brittleness was also affected by the segregation of molybdenum carbides at the grain boundaries (i.e., intergranular brittle fracture). Consequently, to reduce the sintering temperature to below 1500 °C, mechanically activated powders were used. From these milled powders, a dense molybdenum disc (60 mm in diameter and 10 mm in thickness) sintered at 1450 °C under a pressure of 70 MPa for 30 min was obtained. It is composed of a fine microstructure without carbide and oxide, its ductility is close to 13% with a maximum resistance of 550 MPa.

Thermocyclic treatment (TCT) – as a method to decrease carbide segregation of hypereutectoid steels

This paper states that due to special thermocyclic treatment (TCT) performed in the range of relatively low annealing temperatures it is possible to modify morphology, composition and size distribution of carbides constituting ledeburitic eutectics. As a result it becomes possible to substantially increase a level of process hot plasticity of high-speed steel due to obtaining optimal size distribution of eutectic carbides. It has been revealed that globular microstructure having lots of evenly distributed carbides of round shape in the ferritic matrix seems to be favorable from the point of view of hot plasticity. It is expedient to have a large quantity of small secondary carbides along with large quantity of eutectic carbides of medium size (1÷3 mkm), and the least possible quantity of large carbides (>5 mkm) in the microstructure. TCT mode has been developed, during which structure condition with favorable carbide phase morphology is being formed in high-speed steel. Due to this metal bars’ hot plasticity essentially increases. The particularity of this method consists in combination of heat treatment accompanied with soaking at maximum and minimum temperatures at which multitude of centers of secondary carbide phase condensation starts shaping due to constant temperature gradient, with heat treatment in the range of pearlite decomposition for growth and coagulation of carbide phase. TCT of high-speed steel ensures ×1.5–2 decrease in average size and ×1.5–2 increase in density of eutectic carbides distribution, thanks to which metal bars process hot plasticity increases substantially (by 25–30%), carbide heterogeneity becomes 1–1.5 number less. Compared to conventional annealing TCT method ensures depletion of solid solution with Molybdenum by 48%, Tungsten by 44.5%, and Vanadium by 24.8%, and increase in Chromium alloyability by 10%. This is related to formation of carbides of Tungsten, Molybdenum type M6C and Vanadium type MC, and dissolution of Chromium-based carbides M23C6 and M7C3.

Effect of hot rolling on microstructures and mechanical properties of Ni base superalloy

Nickel-based superalloys have excellent mechanical properties at high temperature as well as they exhibit good corrosion resistance against organic and mineral acids. In view of their effectual physic-chemical nature, it was aimed to characterize nickel base superalloys casted by using vacuum induction furnace and subsequently hot rolled at 800 °C. Microstructural investigation and fracture mechanism of prepared alloy samples was carried out using optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while elemental details were obtained through energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) analysis. Imperative mechanical characteristics including hardness and tensile behavior were studied using Micro-Vicker hardness tester etc. The resultant indentations were also studied under SEM and it was deduced that the hot rolling produced microstructure without any segregation of carbides at the grain boundaries. This advantageous outcome of deformation behavior credits better mechanical properties in it as compared to cast alloy.