Effect of Vanadium on Superhardenability of 23MnNiMoCr54V Steel for Round-Link Chain in Mining Applications

The effect of vanadium on the hardenability and microstructure of 23MnNiMoCr54V steel was investigated after austenitizing at 950 and 1050 °C by dilatometry and end-quenching Jominy tests, combined with nitrogen removal with aluminum. Electron probe micro-analysis, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize the microstructure and existence state of vanadium atoms in the steel. The presence of aluminum-stabilized nitrogen by aluminum nitride production, which promoted the segregation of solid solution vanadium atoms at grain boundaries, delayed the transformation of ferrite and improved the austenite stability. Thus, vanadium addition could improve the hardenability, and an excellent steel performance could be obtained during slower cooling. This process could be used to produce heavy section steel components, such as round-link chains for mining applications.