Abstract
In this study, the addition of SiC powder to structural steel of SAE 1018 type has been investigated using alloys, which were re-melted in an arc furnace. A systematic addition of SiC resulted in an increase in matrix hardness of the alloys, causing the microstructural constituents being affected by the second phase particles formed as a result of various chemical reactions during re-melting. It is believed that the dissociation of SiC modified the second phase particles in alloys and size distribution profile has been shown to influence the final microstructure of the alloys in favor of high matrix hardness and finer microstructure. These effects were characterized by using standard metallographic techniques.

Key words
ferritic steels, microstructure, metal matrix composites (MMC), precipitation

Full text (287 KB)