The effect of Nb on the microstructure and mechanical properties of wear-resistant steel heavy plates
Fábio Dian Murari; Adriana Marin Rodriguez Gusmão; Leonardo de Oliveira Turani
Abstract
The effect of Nb addition on the microstructure and mechanical properties of wear-resistant steel heavy plates processed by direct quenching was investigated on a pilot scale. The steels evaluated were laboratory-cast in a vacuum melting furnace, reheated to 1,250°C, and controlled rolled, aiming at the finishing step in the non-recrystallization region of austenite. The mechanical properties of the transformed microstructures were determined through hardness, tensile, and Charpy V-notch tests. The specimens were characterized using optical and scanning electron microscopy. An increase in strength and absorbed energy was observed with the increment of Nb content from 0.015 to 0.030%, demonstrating that this element was effective in refining the microstructure and making it more homogeneous, as confirmed by the microscopy analyses.
Keywords
Referências
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Submetido em:
01/10/2025
Aceito em:
16/10/2025
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