Title: Enhancement of pearlitic structure through inoculation with nano-size silicon carbide

Authors: Mohamed Kamal El-Fawkhry; Ahmed Shash; Sherif Ali; Hassan Bahaa; Taha Mattar

Addresses: Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt; Mechanical Engineering Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt ' Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt; Mechanical Engineering Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt ' Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt; Mechanical Engineering Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt ' Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt; Mechanical Engineering Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt ' Central Metallurgical Research and Development Institute (CMRDI), P.O. Box 87, Helwan, Cairo, Egypt; Mechanical Engineering Department, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

Abstract: The feasibility of SiC inoculation for low carbon steel was studied in this work. Five heats of low carbon steel with different percentage of silicon carbide inoculants have been compared with the reference steel in terms of microstructure, tensile properties, and wear abrasion resistance. The optical observations using optical and scanning electron microscope declare that the weight percentage of SiC inoculants has a significant effect on the pearlite fractions increment, as well as its morphology. The excellent response of the enhancement in the pearlitic structure is observed by tensile test. The impact toughness of inoculated steel approaches 250% more than non-inoculated steel. In the same way, the wear abrasion resistance is improved by nanoinoculation, especially at heavy load conditions.

Keywords: silicon carbide; SiC inoculation; pearlite structure; low carbon steel; nano-size inoculants; fine grain steel; nanotechnology; microstructure; tensile properties; wear abrasion; wear resistance; impact toughness; nanoinoculation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2014.067607

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2014 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.203 - 212

Received: 24 May 2014
Accepted: 07 Aug 2014
Published online: 28 Feb 2015 *

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