Effect of Alloying Method on Microstructure and Wear Resistance of Fe-Cr-V-B Based Alloy

The microstructure and wear behavior of Fe-Cr-V-B based alloy was investigated. Each of the specimens was characterized by metallographic techniques and hardness test. Phase analysis of alloy was performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results showed that the microstructure of Fe-Cr-V-B based as-cast alloy containing 8.6 mass% V was composed of α-(Fe, Cr) solid solution, VC carbides, and V3B4 borides, whereas the as-cast alloy containing 24.8 mass% Cr was composed of α-(Fe, Cr) solid solution and V3B4, borides; the eutectic V3B4, borides mainly comprise M2B-type borides (M presents Fe and Cr). The existence of a large amount of V atoms affects the growth pattern of eutectic borides, which mainly display rod-like and grainy structure. The wear behavior of the experimental alloy has been investigated using pin-on-disk type friction and wear apparatus. The comparison of experimental results indicated that the relative wear resistance of the alloy containing 8.6 mass% V after destabilization heat treatment in a conventional furnace at 1373 K for 2 h was about six times higher than that of the high chromium (19 mass%) cast iron.