Sj. Li et al., Temperature dependence of the hardness of single-phase cementite films prepared by an electron-shower PVD method, J JPN METAL, 64(2), 2000, pp. 134-140
To design advanced steel, it is important that the mechanical properties of
the cementite phase are studied. However, few papers on these properties h
ave been published. For those that have been published, the samples were ce
mentite embedded in steels or extracted from steels by electrolysis.
The purpose of this paper is to prepare a thick cementite film without the
oxide, and to study the temperature dependence of the hardness in detail.
A single phase cementite film, 3 mu m thick, was prepared by the electron-s
hower PVD method. The composition of the film was Fe : C : O=76 : 24 : 0. T
he Vickers hardness of the cementite was 1140 at room temperature and decre
ased to half at. 400 degrees C. The hardness of composite film of Fe and ce
mentite is explained by the law of mixture. The cementite film was oxidized
above 400 degrees C in atmosphere, but was very stable at room temperature
.