Effects of Different Heat Treatments on Microstructure, Toughness and Wear Behavior of G-X 10CrNiMoNb 18-10 Cast Austenitic Stainless Steel

In this study, effects of different heat-treatment on microstructure, wear, hardness and toughness behavior of G-X 10CrNiMoNb 18-10 austenitic stainless-steel samples were investigated. The samples were cast in sand mold. Five different cooling conditions were applied in two heat-treatment stages. Microstructures of the as cast and heat-treated alloys were investigated using a scanning electron microscope to understand the effect of cooling rate on the carbide morphology and size. The role of MC and M23C6 carbides on the properties of the alloy was determined. Also, wear tests were carried out to clarify the relationship between different microstructures obtained by different cooling rates and wear properties of the alloy. The toughness of the samples was measured with the Charpy notched-impact test. To understand the heat-treatment effects, microstructural investigations were conducted with scanning electron microscopy. The results of the tests showed that the sample cooled in furnace has superior wear resistance and toughness compared to other samples. The highest wear resistance and toughness value of the furnace cooled sample is a result of finely dispersed carbide particles.