The Effect of Rare Earth Cerium on Microstructure and Properties of Low Alloy Wear-Resistant Steel

With the continuous expansion of application field low alloy wear-resistant steel, higher processing plasticity and toughness are prioritized on basis ensuring strength hardness. In this article, a steel Hardox400 was studied: by adding mass fraction 0.0030% rare earth cerium as microalloying treatment, pilot scale simulation carried out using vacuum induction furnace four-high reversible laboratory mill. The effects occurrence state inclusions, microstructure, mechanical properties wear resistance were studied means optical microscope (OM), scanning electron (SEM) wet sand/rubber wheel tester. results show that fine spherical CeAlO3, CeAlO3-MnS elliptical Ce2S2O-CaO formed Ce, which enhances binding force between inclusions matrix. addition Ce helps to refine as-cast structure, prevent transformation proeutectoid ferrite overcooled austenite promotes formation bainite ferrite, whilst simultaneously increasing yield strength, ratio surface hardness, especially low-temperature impact approximately −40 °C~−20 °C tested steel. Simultaneously, ability resist abrasive embedment crack propagation is enhanced, obviously improved. research will provide reference for development high-quality utilizing national featured resources.