Structure of a Carbon Steel–Stainless Steel Bimetal

Abstract

Bimetallic samples may be produced by casting St3 structural steel between sheets of Kh18N9T stainless steel in a mold, with subsequent hot rolling of the three-layer sheet. Such samples have a structure in which Kh18N9T stainless steel appears at the outer edge on both sides, while the core consists of St3 structural steel. Analysis of the boundary between the steels confirms the absence of defects: it is continuous and of high quality. The microstructure of the junction is investigated by optical, scanning-probe, and electron microscopy. Three structural components are observed from the pearlitic to the austenitic steel: a weakened section of the ferritic layer; a strengthened section of the ferritic layer; and a dark-etching layer at the austenitic steel. The following results are obtained by scanning-probe microscopy—in particular, the constantforce contact method—and optical metallography: on approaching the boundary from the St3 steel, a carbon- free layer with purely ferritic structure is observed, rather than the usual structure for low-carbon steel, which consists of a ferrite matrix with pearlite colonies. On approaching the boundary from the Kh18N9T steel, a carburized layer is observed. In addition, the boundary includes an intermediate carbide layer (depth up to 50 μm). The change in microhardness in the region where the St3 structural steel meets the external layer of Kh18N9T stainless steel indicates considerable increase in strength of the materials. Elemental microanalysis of the St3 steel–Kh18N9T steel boundary reveals the change in concentration of the alloying elements on approaching the boundary. The presence of chromium in St3 steel and the increase in carbon concentration in Kh18N9T stainless steel confirm that two opposing diffusional fluxes are formed: the diffusion of carbon from the St3 steel; and the diffusion of alloying elements from Kh18N9T steel. The resulting carbides explain the increased hardness of both steels close to the boundary.