فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

This study presents a novel and cost-effective approach for fabricating iron-based composites by infiltrating molten gray cast iron into a porous 304 stainless steel swarf skeleton. Unlike conventional fabrication methods, this approach utilizes waste or low-cost raw materials, resulting in the in-situ formation of hard M7C3 carbides and a unique composite microstructure. Heat treatment was performed by austenitizing the composites at 800, 900, and 1000 °C, followed by water quenching immediately after reaching the target temperatures or after soaking for 2 and 4 h. Microstructural analysis revealed the formation of secondary carbide particles and a martensitic transformation induced by the heat treatment. Abrasion tests demonstrated an inverse relationship between hardness and wear rate, confirming the significant influence of heat treatment on the mechanical performance of the composites. The optimal condition, consisting of austenitizing at 900 °C for 2 h, achieved a maximum hardness of 770 HV and exhibited superior wear resistance. These findings demonstrate that the proposed infiltration technique, combined with optimized heat treatment, provides a promising strategy for producing low-cost, high-performance, wear-resistant iron-based composites for industrial applications.