Phase diagram calculation of high chromium cast irons and influence of its chemical composition

The phase transformation and the carbide precipitation temperatures of the high chromium cast iron with Cr content of 15% were measured by using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The matrix and the type of carbides of the specimen after quenching were determined by using X-ray diffraction (XRD) in this work. Meanwhile, the shape and the number of carbides in the different specimens were detected by using optical microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) & energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The equilibrium phase of this high chromium cast iron was calculated by using Thermo-Calc software based on above experiments. The calculation results obtained from Thermo-Calc software is agreed with the ones from experiments. The work provides a practical method for engineers and researchers in related areas. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.