Effect of niobium addition on the properties and microstructure of a high chromium cast iron alloy

High chromium cast iron (HCCI) is usually employed in equipment that experience high abrasive wear and therefore requires high resistance. Niobium could be added to these alloys to improve their resistance to wear. This study consisted in addressing the influence of 0.5% and 1.0% of niobium on the microstructure of a 26% Cr and 2.8% C HCCI alloy. Standard samples - without niobium - and samples with 0.5% and 1.0% Nb were melted, cut and then machined into adequate dimensions for tests. Two groups of samples - with and without heat treatment - were analyzed through X-ray Diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Vickers and Rockwell-C hardness. Carbides Volume Fraction (CVF) was quantified in the heat-treated samples. The majority of NbC carbides were observed to be thin and presented a hook shaped morphology. In addition, it was noted a precipitation of Nb-rich layers around the M7C3 carbides, which could act as a higher hardness coating. There was significant reduction in carbide volume fraction, from an initial 33.3% to 28.1% for the 0.5 % Nb alloy, and further reduction to 24.9% for the 1.0% Nb alloy, it was also noted an alteration on the quasi-eutectic microstructure to a hypoeutectic microstructure. The NbC carbides prevented hardness reduction as a result of lowering the CVF in heat-treated alloys; however, the alloys without heat treatment experienced reductions in hardness.