| Abstract Scope |
The utilization and versatility of ductile iron (DI) extend across diverse sectors, from automotive to construction, owing to its exceptional blend of robustness and malleability, enabling the fabrication of complex and resilient parts that enhance the spatial effectiveness and dependability of contemporary engineering setups. This study investigates how adding chromium carbide to DI affects its mechanical properties. The authors examined the role of iron-chromium-carbides (Fe-Cr-C) formed by adding 4 and 8 wt.% Cr3C2 in DI. The compositions of alloys were selected using the Fe-Cr3C2 phase diagram, which indicated the formation of ferrite, graphite, M<sub>3</sub>C, and M<sub>7</sub>C<sub>3</sub> phases on equilibrium cooling below A1 temperature. Microstructural characterization reveals an increasing pearlite fraction and reducing graphite nodule size with increasing Cr3C2 fractions in DI due to the formation of the M<sub>3</sub>C and M<sub>7</sub>C<sub>3</sub> phases in DI during cooling. Alloy with 8 wt.% Cr3C2 showed a better combination of hardness, longitudinal elastic constant values, specific wear rate, and flexural strength of 480 HV30, 256 GPa, 2.61×10<sup>-5 mm3/mN, and 705 MPa, respectively, than other Cr3C2 concentrations. The findings highlight the significant role of Cr3C2 in enhancing the wear resistance and mechanical properties of DI, making chromium-alloyed cast irons a promising avenue for improving material performance in various industrial applications. |