Effect of carburization on microstructure and rolling contact fatigue property of 95W-3.4Ni-1.6Fe heavy alloy

95W-3.4Ni-1.6Fe heavy alloy was carburized by pack carburization. Microstructure and hardness of the carburized alloy were investigated by SEM, EDS XRD. Effect of carburization on the rolling contact fatigue (RCF) property of the alloy was studied. The results showed that the carburized layer was composed of the outer, porous WC layer and the modified subsurface layer with each W grain surrounded by a WC shell. Carburization not only decreased the RCF performance of the alloy but also aggravated the wear of the counter balls. The untreated alloy was damaged by two modes of spalling and delamination under RCF condition. The subsurface main crack of the untreated alloy initiated where the maximum shear stress existed and preferentially propagated along the W-W interfaces. Spalling was the main failure mode of the carburized alloys, and the crumbling WC particles intensified the abrasion of the carburized surface.