Improving the Performance Properties of Eutectoid Steel Products by a Complex Effect

This study focuses on the assessment of possible hypereutectoid steel carbide mesh crushing. It is used for tools production, including forming rolls of various diameters, with modification and cyclic heat treatment methods. For steel containing 1.79–1.83% C, we studied the effect of 0.35–1.15% Si on the possible crushing of the cementite mesh within crystallization by introducing modifiers Ti, V, N, as well as simultaneously modifying V with N and Ti with N. The obtained castings of Ø200 mm, 400 mm high were cut into discs, from which we made samples for tests on wear, determining mechanical properties, thermal resistance, and susceptibility to brittle fracture. The assessment was performed in the as-cast and after double and triple normalizing and annealing with drawback. With additional fans blowing, we changed the cooling rate from 25 °C/h to 100–150 °C/h. We performed the microstructure analyses using traditional metallographic, micro-X-ray spectral analyses, and also used the segmentation process based on 2D image markers. It was found that the as-cast modifying additives infusion is insufficient for carbide mesh crushing. It can be made by multi-stage normalizing with accelerated cool-down for products up to 600 mm in diameter to cycle temperatures above the steel transfer from a plastic to elastic state (above 450 °C).