Correlation of microstructure and fracture toughness in high-chromium white iron hardfacing alloys

A correlation is made of microstructure and fracture toughness in hypereutectic high-chromium white iron hardfacing alloys. In order to investigate the matrix effect of these alloys, in particular, four different matrices such as pearlite, austenite, and a mixture of pearlite and austenite were employed by changing the ratio of Mn/Si, while the total volume fraction of carbides was fixed. The hardfacing alloys were deposited twice on a mild steel plate by the self-shielding flux-cored arc-welding method. Fracture toughness was increased by increasing the volume fraction of austenite in the matrix, whereas hardness and abrasion resistance were nearly constant. In situ observation of the fracture process showed that cracks initiated at large primary carbides tended to be blocked at the austenitic matrix. This suggested that fracture toughness was controlled mainly by the amount of austenite in the matrix, thereby yielding the better toughness in the hardfacing alloy having the austenitic matrix. Considering both abrasion resistance and fracture toughness, therefore, the austenitic matrix was preferred for the high-chromium white iron hardfacing alloys.