Regeneration of the initial structure in white alloy pig irons by their heat treatment

The regime parameters providing the improvements of initial cast structure in a white alloy quasi-eutectic pig iron are specified for the applied heat treatment which is based on the early defined principles of microstructure «regeneration» in hetero-phase materials with polymorphic matrixes. Extremely undesirable, typical original microstructure of the iron comprising big, plate-like, «ledeburite» cementite crystals along with coarse-grained colonies of pearlite-like structures was observed. Formation of dispersed, homogeneous in size and spacial distribution sole alloy cementite crystals instead of the «ledeburite» one, within fine grained matrix containing nano-sized cementite particles is shown as a result of the optimal «regenerative» heat treatment employment. Conserving the original iron hardness on the level 60-63 HRC was observed that confirms stability of its phase composition despite the obtained structure`s morphology changes. Unified features of the structure «regeneration» processes in hetero-phase metallic materials of various chemical composition are outlined that provides reliable obtaining high mechanical performance of the materials