Effect of Homogenization Treatment on the Mechanical and Magnetic Properties of the 52Fe-28Cr-15Co-3Mo-2V Alloy

Abstract

This research investigates the effect of the homogenization process on the mechanical and magnetic properties of the 52Fe-28Cr-15Co-3Mo-2V alloy. The alloy was initially cast in a vacuum arc remelting (VAR) and then homogenized under vacuum at 1200°C for 10 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that both the as-cast and homogenized samples consist of a single α phase. Nevertheless, variations in peak intensity indicated changes in grain orientation and texture. Vickers hardness measurements revealed a significant increase in hardness, from 279.14 to 494.24 Hv, resulting from the formation of a martensitic microstructure. Magnetic characterization demonstrated a decrease in saturation magnetization (Ms) from 1.28 T in the as-cast sample to 1.04 T in the homogenized sample, attributed to the change in texture of the sample post-homogenization. Furthermore, coercivity (Hc) of the homogenized sample increased by 2904.58 A/m due to the formation of the martensitic phase, which can pin the magnetic domains.