Investigation of the microstructure and properties on high titanium wear resistance steel

Titanium has small atomic number than other metal elements, which can form more carbides to improve the wear resistance of steel materials. In order to investigation of the microstructures and properties on steel after adding titanium element, the High Titanium Wear Resistance Steel (HTWRS) with varying carbon content and 1.5 wt% titanium content was prepared, and the effects of heat treatment and carbon content on microstructures, wear and corrosion resistance, and wear mechanism was studied. Results show that an as-cast HTWRS with high hardness (63 HRC) and excellent wear resistance has been obtained by adding titanium elements into ordinary high carbon steel. The main cause of high hardness is that carbon and titanium elements preferentially incorporated to form superhard TiC particles. Besides, when carbon content is 0.8 wt%, the excellent wear resistance and the good corrosion resistance has been obtained in HTWRS. However, after heat treatment, the hardness and impact toughness of the HTWRS are no apparent increase (by about 1 HRC and 2J/cm2, respectively), and the corrosion resistance decreases. These results will facilitate the design and preparation of steel with high wear resistance in complex environments, and evaluate the potential application of HTWRS in harsh environments.