Modification of White Iron with Metallurgical Bonding
White iron, also known as high chrome iron, is an alloy of iron, chromium and carbon. It has a very good wear resistance due to its high hardness, making it ideal for applications such as wear-resistant liners for chutes, hoppers and feeders and for applications where elevated temperatures (up to 700 ºC) are a concern. White iron has been used in many different industries, from automotive and agricultural to the oil and gas industry.
While white iron has a variety of desirable properties, it has some drawbacks. Because of its high wear resistance, it has a low ductility and low impact strength, meaning it can be bent and deformed more easily than other metals. This can result in cracking and other damage when exposed to high temperatures. Additionally, white iron is not very welding friendly and has poor corrosion resistance.
In recent years, new methods of modification involving metallurgical bonding have been developed to address these issues. Metallurgical bonding involves the process of bonding two metals together at the atomic level. During the bonding process, atoms of one metal are diffused into the other, forming a homogenous bond. This bond is much stronger than a traditional mechanical bond, and can greatly increase the strength and durability of the metal, while reducing its ductility.
When metallurgical bonding is used to modify white iron, the process results in a unique microstructure, which is very resistant to wear, impact, and cracking. The microstructure is made up of small grains of the bonded metal dispersed throughout the white iron matrix. This improves the properties of the white iron, making it better suited for applications involving high temperatures and wear.
In addition to the improved performance of the modified white iron, metallurgical bonding has the added benefit of improved weldability and corrosion resistance. This further enhances its utility in a variety of applications, making it even more attractive as a material of choice.
Metallurgical bonding of white iron is a relatively new process. While it has been shown to greatly improve the performance of the material, it is still being studied and tested to better understand its effects. As more research is conducted and the process is more widely adopted, modified white iron is sure to become one of the most popular materials for wear protective and high temperature applications.
