Mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of grinding ball Fe-xMn-10Al-1.25C alloys

This research aims to determine mechanical properties of grinding ball Fe-xMn-10Al- 1.25C alloys. The grinding ball alloys were prepared by an induction furnace under argon atmosphere. Al and C levels, 10% and 1.25% respectively, in Fe-Al-Mn grinding ball were kept constant while Mn content was varied by 15%, 20% and 25%. Grinding ball of Fe-Cr-C alloy as a comparison was obtained from the cement industry. Mechanical properties were investigated using tensile testing machine, Vickers hardness testing machine, Charpy impact test machine, and wear testing machine. Corrosion resistance was investigated using weight loss method. The results showed that the best mechanical properties occurred at 25% Mn composition, which were superior to Fe-Cr-C grinding ball. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength, and elongation of Fe-xMn-10Al-1.25C grinding balls were in the range of 1215-1435 MPa, 927-1135 MPa, and 40.74-57.72% respectively. The hardness of these alloys was in the range of 421-550 VHN, the Charpy impact of these alloys was in the range of 1.24-1.55 J/mm2, while wear resistance of these alloys was in the range of 0.0004-0.0007 gr/s. The mechanical properties of Fe-Cr-C grinding ball were 1125 MPa (tensile strength), 875 MPa (yield strength), 47.8% (elongation), 544 VHN, 0.45J/mm2 (toughness), and 0.0004 gr/s (wear resistance) respectively. The best corrosion resistance of Fe-5Al-xMn-1.25C and Fe-Cr-C grinding balls were 0.016 mm/yr and 0.035 mm/yr respectively.