Chemical and Structural Analysis of Newly Prepared Co-W-Al Alloy by Aluminothermic Reaction

This article is devoted to the characterization of a new Co-W-Al alloy prepared by an aluminothermic reaction. This alloy is used for the subsequent preparation of a special composite nanopowder and for the surface coating of aluminum, magnesium, or iron alloys. Due to the very high temperature (2000 °C–3000 °C) required for the reaction, thermite was added to the mixture. Pulverized coal was also added in order to obtain the appropriate metal carbides (Co, W, Ti), which increase hardness, resistance to abrasion, and the corrosion of the coating and have good high temperature properties. The phase composition of the alloy prepared by the aluminothermic reaction showed mainly cobalt, tungsten, and aluminum, as well as small amounts of iron, titanium, and calcium. No carbon was identified using this method. The microstructure of this alloy is characterized by a cobalt matrix with smaller regular and irregular carbide particles doped by aluminum.

Effect of Ta and W Additions on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Tilt-Cast Ti-45Al-5Nb-2C Alloy

The effect of Ta and W additions on microstructure and mechanical properties of tilt-cast Ti-45Al-5Nb-2C (at.%) alloy was investigated. Three alloys with nominal composition Ti-45Al-5Nb-2C-2X (in at.%), where X is Ta or W, were prepared by vacuum induction melting in graphite crucibles followed by tilt casting into graphite moulds. The microstructure of the tilt-cast alloys consists of the α2(Ti3Al) + γ(TiAl) lamellar grains, single γ phase, (Ti,Nb,X)2AlC particles with a small amount of (Ti,Nb,X)C, and β/B2 phase identified only in W containing alloy. The EDS analysis shows that Ta segregates into the carbide particles and reduces dissolution of Nb in both (Ti,Nb,Ta)C and (Ti,Nb,Ta)2AlC phases. The alloying with W reduces Nb content in both carbide phases and leads to stabilisation of β/B2 phase in the lamellar α2 + γ regions. The alloying with Ta and W does not affect the volume fraction of the carbide particles but influences their size and morphology. While the alloying with Ta and W has no significant effect on Vickers hardness and the indentation elastic modulus of the studied alloys, the addition of Ta affects the nanohardness and elastic modulus of the (Ti,Nb,Ta)2AlC phase. The addition of W significantly increases the Vickers microhardness of the lamellar α2 + γ regions.

The microstructure and properties of Mo alloying layer after surface alloying treatment induced by continuous scanning electron beam process

Surface alloying by scanning electron beams can improve the microstructure and mechanical properties of steel. In this study. Four electron energy densities were selected during the alloying process: E1 = 1.5J/cm2, E2 = 2.9J/cm2, E3 = 4.5J/cm2 and E4 = 5.9J/cm2. The obtained results show that the sample surface is composed of alloying zone and heat-affected zone. The microstructure of the alloy zone is concealed acicular martensite and molybdenum carbide particles. The microhardness of this area is 1250HV. The sample treated with an energy density of 5.9J/cm2 has the least amount of wear. After alloying treatment, the microhardness and wear amount of the scanned samples are significantly improved.

Modification of steel surface layer by electroslag surfacing using compounds with high melting point

The authors have studied the effect of alloying on the structure, microhardness and abrasive wear resistance of electroslag surfacing layers on low-alloy structural steel 09G2S. For modification, mixtures of Si3 N4 + FeSi2 + Si powders obtained in the Department of Structural Macrokinetics of the Tomsk Scientific Centre SB RAS by the method of SHS synthesis, as well as powder compositions based on TiC, were used. A molten electrode was made of low-alloy steel St3, on which modifying compositions Si3 N4 + FeSi2 + Si were poured out, in the first case, and modifying compositions Si3 N4 + FeSi2 + Si, located below, in the second case. Metallography and X-ray microanalysis methods were used to determine the structure and to analyze the composition of the deposited layers, heat-affected zone (HAZ) and the base metal, on the basis of which assumptions were made about the nature of the formation of coating properties – hardness and wear resistance. It is shown that the main influence on the wear resistance is exerted by structure of the surfacing metal. There is a positive effect of modifying coatings by alloying materials with the alloys Si3 N4 + FeSi2 + Si + St3 and TiC + St3. In the molten layer, many new crystallization centers are released in the form of dispersed TiC particles. Dispersed TiC particles with a high melting point (3180 °C) are the first to fall out of the melt and not only serve as multiple crystallization centers, but also prevent the growth of austenitic grains, which ensures the formation of dispersed structure. The coatings contain TiC carbide particles, as well as inclusions of other phases. At the same time, an increase in hardness of the deposited layer containing titanium carbide inclusions is observed in direction of the boundary with the base. Wear resistance of the layer increases when a TiC-based coating is formed. The obtained data can be used to create deposited layers on the metal surface with high resistance against abrasive wear.