Structural Investigations of Solidification and Heat Treatments Influence on High Alloyed Cast Irons Grades with Nb-V-Ti Additions

Two High Alloyed Cast Irons (HACI) were studied, both belonging to the Fe-C-Cr-Si-X system where X represented a strong carbide forming element. One of these alloys was obtained after adding Nb, V and Ti to the chemical composition of the other alloy. Raw materials originated from spun cast rolls for hot strip mill were submitted to different heat treatments routes, in order to study the influence of alloying elements on the microstructure. Both HACI grades contained a mixture of martensite and retained austenite matrix in the as-cast conditions and after quenching. Differential Thermal Analysis was carried out on the heat treated samples in order to determine the phase transformations occurring during re-melting and subsequent solidification sequence. Diffusionless transformations leading to various types of martensite were found in the matrix. Bulky NbC carbides precipitating at the beginning of the solidification process strongly influence the nature and the rate of the subsequent diffusional phase transformations, particularly for HACI grade with Nb, V and Ti additions. Quantitative metallography was done to determine graphite, NbC carbides, cementite and matrix volume fraction in HACI studied grades.