Strengthening of HT250 by modified ultra-fine ceramic powders

In this study, three kinds of modified ultra-fine ceramic powders marked A, B and C, which were prepared by each of three different modifiers mixing with a commercial SiC, were added to HT250 cast iron, respectively, and the effects of the modified ultra-fine ceramic powders on microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance were studied. Metallographic examination, tensile test, scanning electron microscopy, and three-dimensional surface topography were applied to analyze and compare the samples containing modified powder with the original samples. The results showed that the most obvious modification effect among the powders was seen in the sample containing powder A, with the graphite and eutectic cells being refined, the tensile strength being increased by 36.9%, and the wear resistance being improved by 45.5% and 47.2% under loads of 150 N and 300 N, respectively. The improvements of mechanical properties and wear resistance in the HT250 cast iron with the modified ultra-fine ceramic powders were attributed to the synergistic effect of the grain refinement with the powder acting as a hard particle phase and the lubrication by the graphite.