Mechanical properties of phase constituents in selected grades of cast steel

The nanoindentation measurements performed on three cast steels of 0.3C-30Ni-18Cr type with various content of niobium and titanium were carried out. Mechanical properties of the main phase constituents of the alloys, such as austenite, MC and M23C6 type carbides, were determined and analysed. The values of hardness (H) and Young modulus (E) for the austenite matrix were similar within the tested alloys. Essential differences (H=12÷24 GPa; E = 250÷400 GPa) were found between the carbide p hases p resent in tested alloys. The nanoindentation measurement on small particles is affected by different effects. One of these effects was excluded using numerical simulation of impressing the phase constituent into the matrix during indentation. The values of H and E obtained from simulation were: 30/450 GPa for NbC; 50/580 GPa for TiC; and 19/320 GPa for Cr₂₃C₆ respectively.