Macro-indentation fracture mechanisms in a super-hard hardfacing Fe-based electrode

A super-hard hardfacing Fe-based electrode with 911 HV30 was applied to st37 substrate using flux-cored arc welding method. Microstructural study was accomplished using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and microscopic image analysis software. The fracture toughness properties of the phases were examined using the macro-indentation fracture toughness method. In the fracture toughness test, Palmqvist cracking mode was observed and the fracture toughness of the hardfacing steel was calculated to be 23.1 MPa√m. Furthermore, preferential crack growth direction, crack growth steps and the fracture behavior of the phases were determined using scanning electron microscope images.