Abrasive wear resistance of a quenched and sub-zero treated high-chromium white cast iron

The study reported in this paper concerned development of such microstructure of high-chromium (24 % Cr) cast iron which could secure high abrasive wear resistance of die inserts used to fabricate stampings from refractory materials. It was found that by increasing the cast iron cooling rate as a result of thermal interaction with the chill, it is possible to obtain fine carbide precipitates with diversified morphology, rich in Cr and Fe, containing Mo and Si. The matrix in the regions of thermal interaction with the chill was enriched in Cr and Mo, but depleted of Fe and Si. The sub-zero treatment process was developed to secure presence of hardening products in the matrix. The obtained structure of high-chromium cast iron has made the inserts more resistant to abrasive wear compared to tool steels after hear treatment used earlier