The effect of martensitic transformation on the cavitation erosion resistance of a TIG-deposited Fe-Cr-C-Al-Ti layer

• Published in: Surface & coatings technology Vol. 421; p. 127391
• Main Authors: Korobov, Yu S., Alwan, H.L., Filippov, M.A., Soboleva, N.N., Alani, I.A., Estemirova, S.Kh, Makarov, A.V., Sirosh, V.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Lausanne Elsevier B.V 15-09-2021; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Aluminum; Austenite; Austenitic stainless steels; Cavitation; Cavitation erosion; Cavitation resistance; Chemical composition; Chromium; Erosion resistance; Evaluation; Iron; Martensite; Martensitic phase transformation; Martensitic transformations; Metastable austenitic steels; Microstructure; Optical microscopes; Phase transitions; Profilometers; Substrates; Surface topography; TIG welding; Titanium; Ultrasonic vibratory testing; TIG welding; Cavitation erosion; Ultrasonic vibratory testing; Metastable austenitic steels; Surface topography; Microstructure; Martensitic phase transformation
• ISSN: 0257-8972; 1879-3347
• DOI: 10.1016/j.surfcoat.2021.127391

This study shows the effect of strain-induced martensitic transformation (austenite (γ)–to–martensite (α′)) on the cavitation erosion resistance of a Fe-Cr-C-Al-Ti deposited layer with a high share of metastable austenite in the structure. For comparison, the cavitation erosion of a E308L-17 deposited layer and an AISI 316L stainless steel substrate was also evaluated. Cavitation tests were performed using a modified ultrasonic tester. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to examine martensitic phase transformation. An optical microscope (OM), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a 3D optical profilometer were utilized to evaluate the eroded specimens' surfaces. The chemical composition of the Fe-Cr-C-Al-Ti deposited layer was analyzed using an energy-dispersive microanalysis system (EDS). The cavitation results revealed that the Fe-Cr-C-Al-Ti specimen exhibited a resistance to cavitation erosion approximately 4 and 10 times higher than the E308L-17 and AISI 316L specimens, respectively. As shown, effects of γ → α′ transformation were mainly responsible for the results.
•The deposited layer of metastable Fe-Cr-C-Al-Ti steel shows superior cavitation erosion resistance.•γ–to–ά transformation of the deposited layer led to increasing cavitation erosion resistance.•Hardening the surface of Fe-Cr-C-Al-Ti layer contributed to improving cavitation resistance.