Micro abrasion in Fe-Cr-C-Nb alloys samples: The role of niobium

This paper addresses to analyze the role played by Niobium (Nb) in the microstructure of Fe-Cr-C alloys being tested in micro abrasion conditions (ball abrasion test). Three alloys with differences in Cr content and one of them with 5% Nb have been prepared as weld tracks under Fe-C substrate. The resulting microstructures contain carbides embedding in a metallic matrix (MMC). Significant changes in mechanical properties are expected depending on the morphology, size and distribution of carbides. Results pointed out to an improvement in wear resistance of Fe-Cr-C-Nb alloy although it showed lower values of hardness and volume fraction of carbides in comparison to the other alloys. The coefficient of friction was also affected by Nb addition. Such results evidence the possibility of using such alloy in applications that require high performance in wear resistance as mining and agriculture equipment.