MICROSTRUCTURE AND WEAR RESISTANCE OF CHROMIUM CARBIDE COATING IN SITU SYNTHESIZED BY VEB

In this paper, (Cr, Fe)7C3(M7C3)/γ-Fe composite layer has been in situ fabricated on a low carbon steel surface by vacuum electron beam irradiation (VEB). Three kinds of powder mixtures were placed on a low carbon steel substrate, which was then irradiated with electron beam in vacuum condition. The microstructure and wear resistance of the composite layers has been studied by means of optical microscope (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), microhardness tester and tribological tester. The chemical composition of all specimens were carefully analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX) technique. Depending on three different powder mixtures, hypereutectic and hypoeutectic microstructures were obtained on surface composite layers. No pores and cracks were found on the coatings. The amount of carbides formed in the surface composite layer was mainly determined by carbon concentration. The microstructure close to the fusion line was largely primary austenite dendrite. The hardness and wear resistance of the surface composite layer has been greatly improved due to the extensive distribution of carbides.