Development and optimization of novel wear-resistant manganese steels with ceramic reinforcements

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This NSERC-CRD grant application seeks to enable a collaboration between the metalcasting and materials development research groups at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Unicast Inc. The research teams seek to jointly work on developing a fundamental scientific understanding of the behavior of high manganese (Mn) steels currently used for diverse mining, rock crushing and processing applications. Building on the fundamental knowledge, the research team will explore the use of new additives and alloy compounds to further enhance the mechanical performance and control the microstructure of new steel alloys. Unicast Inc. is Canada's leader in the manufacture of manganese steel castings for diverse technological systems and applications. Since the currently available Mn steel alloys are reaching their performance limits, it is essential that new R&D into material development and characterization is undertaken. In this regard, Unicast Inc. and UBC will jointly study, fabricate and test new Mn-steel alloys at UBC's metalcasting laboratory and characterization facilities. A baseline material (ASTM A128 Grade A) will be used for all experiments. The composition of this baseline material will then be varied with suitable addition of manganese, chromium (Cr) and molybdenum (Mo). The goal of these additives is to enhance the mechanical performance of the alloy, toughness and abrasion resistance. Further, the feasibility of successfully incorporating Titanium Carbide (TiC) inserts in the matrix material will be also examined. The research outcomes are expected to yield alloys with superior performance, which in turn will benefit many mining operations (from crushers, to rock sizers, to pulverizers used in the cement industries). With superior and technological advantage, Unicast Inc. will be able to support the Canadian manufacturing and mining industries to achieve enhanced efficiency (less down-time) and improved economy of operations. This CRD program also offers outstanding opportunities for students to be trained in R&D related to materials development for several of Canada's key sectors.