Characteristics of Ledeburite in EDS Analyses of Directionally Solidified Eutectic White Cast Iron

Abstract

The paper addresses the microsegregation of Mn, Mo, Cr, W, V, Si, Al, Cu and P in the white cast iron. Eutectic alloy with the content of 4.25% C was studied. The white cast iron was directionally solidified in the vacuum Bridgman-type furnace at a constant pulling rate v = 83 μm/s and v = 167 μm/s and at a constant temperature gradient G = 33.5 K/mm. The microstructural research was conducted using light and scanning electron microscopy. The microsegregation of elements in ledeburite was evaluated by EDS measurements. Content of elements in ledeburitic cementite and ledeburitic pearlite was determined. The tendency of elements to microsegregation was found dependent on the solidification rate. Microsegregation of elements between pearlite and cementite structural constituents has been specified. The effect of solidification rate on the type and intensity of microsegregation in directionally solidified eutectic white cast iron was observed. A different type of microsegregation was observed in the components of ledeburite in cementite and pearlite.

Keywords

• microsegregation
• sem-eds analysis
• ledeburite
• cementite
• white cast iron