Shock-Wave Sintering of the 70 vol.% Kh13M2–30 vol.% Cr₃C₂ Carbonized Steel in a Wide Temperature Range

Abstract

The compaction of the 70 vol.% Kh13М2–30 vol.% Cr₃C₂ carbonized steel is carried out by the shock-wave sintering under 1200 MPa in the 950–1200 °C temperature range and the natural sintering at 1250 °C in vacuum (0.13 Pa). The effect of the compacting temperature and annealing at 1150 °C on the structure and physical and mechanical properties of the composite is studied. It is shown that an active interaction between the carbide phase and a steel matrix occurs in the structure of the material during heating. As a result, the amount of the carbide component in the composite increases by 10 and 30 vol.% during compacting and annealing, respectively, compared with the starting state of the carbonized steels. High strength and ductility properties of the composite are obtained at the shock-wave sintering temperature of ≥1100°C. The carbonized steel possesses the following properties: bending strength 1165 MPa, compressive resistance 2665 MPa, compressive plastic strain 8.2%, fracture toughness 20.4 MPa • m^1/2, and the Rockwell hardness 78 HRA.