Study of the 8Kh4GV2FN2S2Yu steel subjected to laser alloying with chromium

The methods of Mossbauer spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction were used to st udy the effect of laser alloying with chromium on the structure and mechani cal properties of a 8Kh4GV2FN2S2Yu-type steel. The distributions of the all oying elements in the solidified remelted layer were determined. A segregat ion of alloying elements was observed. Zones consisting of carbides and int ermetallics as well as zones enriched with alloying elements and depleted o f them were found at grain boundaries. Some thermodynamic assumptions were used to describe the atomic distributions in the alloy. The dispersity of t he structure was found to be governed by the diffusion paths of some alloyi ng elements, their segregation at grain boundaries with the formation of zo nes consisting of carbides and intermetallics, and the melt-quenching rate (similar to 10(6) K/s). The microhardness of the steel increases insignific antly due to laser alloying, whereas the wear resistance increases by a fac tor of two.