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Microstructural Modifications of As-Cast High-Chromium White Iron by Heat Treatment

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The initial as-cast microstructure of a high-chromium (2.35% C, 18.23% Cr) white cast iron consisting of primary austenitic dendrites and a eutectic mixture of M7C3 carbides/austenite was extensively modified by four different heat treatments: H.T.A: destabilization (970 °C-2.5 h), H.T.B: destabilization/subcritical treatments (970 °C-2.5 h + 600 °C-13 h), H.T.C: subcritical treatment (600 °C-13 h) and H.T.D: subcritical/destabilization treatments (600 °C-13 h + 970 °C-2.5 h). H.T.A leads to martensitic structures that present considerable precipitation of cubic secondary carbide particles of M23C6 type. H.T.B produces pearlitic structures and causes further carbide precipitation and pre-existent carbide particle shape modifications. H.T.C extensively modifies the initial as-cast structure to more pearlitic morphologies accompanied with spheroidization/degradation of the M7C3 primary carbide structure. H.T.D causes extensive formation of secondary carbide particles within the primary austenitic matrix; the latter has been mainly transformed to martensite. The effect of each heat treatment on the hardness of the alloy was correlated with the attained microstructure.

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Acknowledgment

The authors would like to acknowledge the Greek Modern Castings (GMC) S.A foundry for their kind assistance in the preparation of the examined alloy.

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  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110, Ioannina, Greece

    A.E. Karantzalis, A. Lekatou & H. Mavros

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  1. A.E. Karantzalis
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  2. A. Lekatou
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  3. H. Mavros
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Correspondence to A. Lekatou.

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Karantzalis, A., Lekatou, A. & Mavros, H. Microstructural Modifications of As-Cast High-Chromium White Iron by Heat Treatment. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 18, 174–181 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-008-9285-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-008-9285-6

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