Influence of k-carbides on Tribological Properties and Corrosive Environment in Fe-20Mn-10Al-0.7C Alloy
摘要
The present work investigates the role of k-carbides precipitation on wear and corrosion behavior of Fe-20Mn-10Al-0.7C alloy fabricated through a high-temperature pressure forging route. The as-fabricated alloy was heat-treated and aged for 24 hours at 480 °C. A comprehensive study of the evolution of phases was done using electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD). In the 480 °C aged sample, a uniform dispersion of k-carbides was observed. The significant change in hardness of the aged sample was investigated. The as-fabricated sample had 3.99 ± 0.47 GPa hardness while the aged sample had 6.94 ± 0.05 GPa. Also, the elastic recovery of the aged sample increased by 48.07%. The reduced modulus of as-fabricated was 179.7 ± 5.6 GPa, got significant improvement after aging, and become 159.5 ± 9.1 GPa. The wear test evaluation showed that the aged sample had a lower wear depth of 38 µm after 2100 seconds. Meanwhile, the as-fabricated sample had 60 µm wear depth after 2100 seconds. Electrochemical tests further confirmed improvement in corrosion resistance of 480 °C aged sample over as-fabricated. For aged sample, the Ecorr was − 365 mV, Icorr was 19.8 µA, and for as-fabricated, Ecorr was − 513 mV and Icorr was 32.6 µA. The formation of k-carbides inducing Zener pinning was the major reason behind remarkably improved properties of aged sample. Additionally, a synergistic tribo-corrosion mechanism was proposed to demonstrate the k-carbide-induced Zener drag. This drag was obstructing dislocation mobility, helped to delay oxide rupture, and minimized wear and corrosion losses.