This study explores the effect of chromium carbide (Cr3C2) addition in ductile iron (DI). By incorporating 4 and 8 wt.% Cr3C2, the researchers investigated the formation of iron-chromium-carbide phases in DI. The alloy compositions were selected based on the vertical section of the Fe-C-Si-Mn-Cr phase diagram. Microstructure analysis revealed that increasing Cr3C2 led to higher pearlite and smaller graphite nodules due to M3C and M7C3 carbide formation. Notably, the 8 wt.% Cr3C2 alloy exhibited the best hardness (480 HV30), elastic modulus (256 GPa), wear resistance (the lowest wear rate of 2.61 × 10−5 mm3/Nm), and ultimate tensile strength (834 MPa), highlighting the significant potential of Cr3C2 in enhancing DI's mechanical properties for various industrial applications.
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