Bifilm Defects in Ti-Inoculated Chromium White Cast Iron

In recent years, white chromium cast iron has gained a well-settled position among wear-resistant materials. In recent times, chromium cast iron samples containing titanium have attracted attention. In cast iron samples, titanium combines with carbon and forms TiC particles, which may be form a crystallization underlay for eutectic M7C3 carbides and austenite. Accordingly, the inoculation process occurring in the crystallizing alloy should result in the proper, regular distribution of fine eutectic chromium carbides in the austenitic matrix. The presented research was conducted on 20% Cr hypoeutectic white cast iron with the addition of 0.5, 1, and 2% of Ti. Ti inoculation and the presence of TiC allowed for superior wear properties to be obtained. However, the conducted study revealed a significant decrease in the impact strength of examined alloys, especially for the cast iron samples with a high amount of Ti, in which the TiC compounds agglomerated. Titanium compounds accumulate in clusters and their distribution is irregular. Most of the TiC compounds were transported by the crystallization front into the center of the castings, where micropores were formed, meaning they were no longer effective crystallization underlays. In the authors’ opinion, the agglomerate formation is strictly connected with the appearance of bifilm defects in the casting microstructure. The conducted research shows how an incorrect volume of an additive may have negative influences on the properties of the casting. This is a vital issue not only from a technological point of view, but also for economic reasons.

Hardness and Wear Resistance of TiC-Fe-Cr Locally Reinforcement Produced in Cast Steel

In order to increase wear resistance cast steel casting the TiC-Fe-Cr type composite zones were fabricated. These zones were obtained by means of in situ synthesis of substrates of the reaction TiC with a moderator of a chemical composition of white cast iron with nickel of the Ni-Hard type 4. The synthesis was carried out directly in the mould cavity. The moderator was applied to control the reactive infiltration occurring during the TiC synthesis. The microstructure of composite zones was investigated by electron scanning microscopy, using the backscattered electron mode. The structure of composite zones was verified by the X-ray diffraction method. The hardness of composite zones, cast steel base alloy and the reference samples such as white chromium cast iron with 14 % Cr and 20 % Cr, manganese cast steel 18 % Mn was measured by Vickers test. The wear resistance of the composite zone and the reference samples examined by ball-on-disc wear test. Dimensionally stable composite zones were obtained containing submicron sizes TiC particles uniformly distributed in the matrix. The macro and microstructure of the composite zone ensured three times hardness increase in comparison to the cast steel base alloy and one and a half times increase in comparison to the white chromium cast iron 20 % Cr. Finally ball-on-disc wear rate of the composite zone was five times lower than chromium white cast iron containing 20 % Cr.