Impact-abrasion behavior of low alloy white cast irons

The impact-abrasion behavior of a series of low alloy white cast irons with different morphologies of eutectic carbide was investigated using a repetitive impact-abrasive wear tester. By means of a defined morphological parameter, the roundness area fraction SF,, the morphology of the eutectic carbide in each alloy was quantitatively assessed. It was found that the mean weight loss of the experimental alloys increased with increasing volume fraction of the network eutectic carbide. This is in general agreement with the results reported for high chromium white irons. Through one-time impact-abrasion, static indentation and pure repetitive impact tests in addition to the usual wear surface scanning electron microscope (SEM) examination, various kinds of wear damage of low alloy white cast irons in the repeated impact-abrasion testing were revealed. In order to understand the wear damage, the concept of true impact stress on the wear surface was emphasized and used to analyze the mechanical interaction between the abrasive particles and the wear surface. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science S.A.