Surface hardening of a gray iron used for a diesel engine cylinder block using high-energy electron beam irradiation

Journal Article · Sat May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1999 · Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11661-999-0271-x· OSTI ID:363981

Choo, S H; Lee, S; Kwon, S J ^[1]

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1. Pohang Univ. of Science and Technology (Korea, Republic of)

This study investigates the effects of high-energy electron-beam (1.4 MeV) irradiation on surface hardening and microstructural modification in a gray cast iron currently used for a diesel engine cylinder block. The gray cast-iron samples were irradiated in air using an electron accelerator. Afterward, their microstructure, hardness, and wear properties were examined. The original microstructure, which contained graphite flakes in a pearlitic matrix, was changed to martensite, ledeburite, and retained austenite, along with complete or partial dissolution of the graphite. This microstructural modification occurred only when the surface was irradiated with an input-energy density over 1.1 kJ/cm{sup 2}, and it greatly improved the surface hardness and wear resistance. In order to investigate the complex microstructures, thermal analysis and simulation testing were also carried out. The results indicated that the irradiated surface was heated to the austenite-temperature region and then quenched to room temperature, which was enough to obtain surface hardening through martensitic transformation. The thermal analysis results matched well with the microstructures of the thermally simulated samples.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 363981
• Journal Information: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science, Journal Name: Metallurgical and Materials Transactions. A, Physical Metallurgy and Materials Science Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 30; ISSN MMTAEB; ISSN 1073-5623
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

33 ADVANCED PROPULSION SYSTEMS
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
CAST IRON
DIESEL ENGINES
ELECTRON BEAMS
HARDENING
MICROSTRUCTURE
PHYSICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
SURFACES
THERMAL ANALYSIS
WEAR RESISTANCE