Characteristics of High-Strength Cast Steel Micro-Alloyed with Vanadium

Abstract

This article presents the results of research into the characteristics of cast steel alloyed with chromium and vanadium, subjected to heat treatment for increased strength parameters. In the first part, it discusses the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding technological developments in the field of cast-steel alloys and the influence of individual alloying additives on the microstructure and the properties of the steel alloy. Further sections present the results of microstructure observations performed with light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. This research focuses on the material in the state directly after casting and after heat treatment, which involved quenching and tempering at 200 °C. The microstructural analysis performed as part of this research has informed the discussion of the results obtained from tensile and impact strength tests. The article also includes the results of a fractography analysis performed as the final part of the tests and offers a general summary and conclusions.