A new in-situ austenite matrix composite reinforced by granular γ+(Fe, Mn)3C binary eutectics (abbreviated to in-situ AMGE) was prepared in as-cast state, in which the modifier, yttrium-based heavy rare earth alloy, was used to influence carbon segregation, manganese segregation and phase formation. The eutectics are formed in the molten pools among austenite dendrites at the later stage of non-equilibrium solidification because the modifier enhances carbon segregation and manganese segregation greatly. Pin-on-disc dry wear tests show that the wear resistance of in-situ AMGE is 1-3 times higher than that of austenite medium manganese steel under low and medium loads, and the loads under which serious wear of in-situ AMGE occurs are much higher than that of austenite medium manganese steel.
Because of the different conductivities between the primary phase (low electric conduc tivity) and the metal melt, electromagnetic force scarcely acts on the primary phase. Thus, an electromagnetic repulsive force applied by the metal melt exerts on the pri mary phase when the movement of the melt in the direction of electromagnetic force is limited. As a result, the repulsive force exerts on the primary phase to push them to move in the direction opposite to that of the electromagnetic force when the metal melt with primary phase solidifies under an electromagnetic force field. Based on this, a new method for production of in situ surface composite and gradient material by electromagnetic force is proposed. An in situ primary Si reinforced surface composite of Al-15wt%Si alloy and gradient material of Al-l9wt%Si alloy were produced by this method. The microhardness of the primary Si is HV1320. The reinforced phase size is in the range from 40μm to 100μm. The wear resistance of Al-Si alloy gradient material can be more greatly increased than that of their matrix material.
Z.M. Xu, T.X. Li, Z.L. Zhu and Y.H. Zhou School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
Results presented in this paper contribute to investigation of the effect of the added Ca-Si modifier amount ( ) on the microstructure scales of granular γ-(Fe,Mn)3C eutectics such as the volume fraction (f) and diameter (d) in the austenite steel matrix composites (EAMC). Directional solidification of EAMC has been carried out using vertical Bridgman method at 50.6μms-1 with a constant temperature gradient about 800Kcm-1. The higher constitutional supercooling ahead of solid-liquid interface attributing to the larger results in the enlargement of γ-(Fe,Mn)3C coupled-zone and the increment of the nucleation rate of eutectics. Therefore, f increases with increasing . The branches of the primary austenite dendrites develop more greatly as increases, which limits the growth of eutectics. As a result, d decreases with increasing .
The austenite medium Mn steel modified with controlled additions of Ca, Y, Si were directionally solidified using the vertical Bridgman method to study the effects of Ca(Y)-Si modifier on the solid-liquid (S-L) interface morphology and solute segregation. The interface morphology and the C and Mn segregation of the steel directionally solidified at 6.9 μm/s were investigated with an image analysis and a scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The 0.5wt% Ca-Si modified steel is solidified with a planar S-L interface. The interface of the 1.0wt% Ca-Si modified steel is similar to that of the 0.5wt% Ca-Si modified steel, but with larger nodes. The 1.5wt% Ca-Si modified steel displays a cellular growth parttern. The S-L interface morphology of the 0.5wt% Ca-Si+1.0wt% Y-Si modified Mn steel appears as dendritic interface, and primary austenite dendrites reveal developed lateral branching at the quenched liquid. In the meantime, the independent austenite colonies are formed ahead of the S-L interface. A mechanism involving constitutional supercooling explains the S-L interface evolution. It depends mainly on the difference in the contents of Ca, Y, and Si ahead of the S-L interface. The segregation of C and Mn ahead of the S-L interface enhanced by the modifiers is observed.
