Microstructure and phase composition of M(Cr30W5C1.5) alloys

The study focuses on the microstructure and phase composition of M(Cr30W5C1.5) alloys, where M represents a combination of metals (Co, Fe, Ni, Al, Mn). The objective is to evaluate the potential of these materials as cost-effective alternatives to expensive cobalt-chromium alloys (e.g., Stellite 6) for ap-plications under extreme mechanical and thermal loads. Samples were synthesized via vacuum melting fol-lowed by heat treatment at 600, 800, and 1000 °C or without treatment. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed for analysis. The results revealed the formation of a multicomponent matrix (BCC and FCC structures) with dispersed carbide particles (Cr23C6, Cr7C3, WC) in all samples. Heat treatment at 1000 °C significantly enhanced car-bide formation in the Al2CoNiFe(Cr30W5C1,5) and CoNiFe(Cr30W5C1,5) systems. The microstructure of CoNiFe-based alloys resembles that of traditional stellites. The findings demonstrate that adjusting the ma-trix composition enables control over phase composition and microstructure, achieving a balance between hardness, thermal stability, and cost-effectiveness (reduced cobalt content). These alloys show promise for replacing conventional materials in energy and mechanical engineering. Further research should focus on correlating carbide structure with mechanical properties and corrosion resistance, as well as optimizing syn-thesis parameters for industrial implementation.