Changes in Microstructure and Abrasion Resistance during Miller Test of Hadfield High-Manganese Cast Steel after the Formation of Vanadium Carbides in Alloy Matrix

Hadfield cast steel is characterized by high wear resistance, but this is only when it is subjected to the effect of dynamic loads. During unloaded abrasion, e.g., sand abrasion, its wear resistance is very low and comparable to the wear of carbon cast steel. To increase the wear resistance of this alloy for operation under the conditions of low pressure or low stress, primary vanadium carbides were produced by the metallurgical process to obtain a two-phase structure after alloy solidification. Compared to samples made of Hadfield cast steel, the primary, very hard carbides, evenly distributed in an austenitic or austenitic-martensitic matrix, increase (at least three times) the wear resistance of samples tested in an abrasive mixture of silicon carbide and water. The changes in microstructure and hardness obtained in alloys after heat treatment (quenching at 1000–1150 °C in water and tempering at 600 °C) are presented. The bulk hardness of the matrix ranged from 370 HV to 660 HV. After heat treatment, the secondary, dispersed vanadium carbides, precipitated in the alloy matrix.