The effects of vanadium on the microstructure and wear resistance of centrifugally cast Ni-hard rolls

The effects of V on the microstructure and wear resistance of centrifugally cast Ni-hard rolls are investigated under a constant fraction of graphite using electron microscopes and a revolving disk-type high-temperature wear tester. The volume fraction of (V,Nb)C particles was increased at the expense of the volume fraction of cementite with an increase in the V concentration. However, the volume fraction of graphite was held nearly constant by controlling the concentration ratio of Si and Cr. As the V concentration was higher than 3 wt.%, the pro-eutectic phase was changed from austenite to (V,Nb)C carbide. The pro-eutectic vermicular (V,Nb)C particles were segregated to the inner part of the roll during centrifugal casting. The wear resistance was improved with an addition of V due to the high volume fractions of the coarse eutectic and pro-eutectic (V,Nb)C particles and the precipitation hardening of fine (V,Nb)C particles in the martensitic matrix. The worn surface showed that cementite particles acted as the initiation site and propagation route of cracks.