Abstract
The properties of hypoeutectic iron of HCWCI containing 25 wt. %Cr-2.5 wt. %C were investigated after destabilisation heat treatments, cooling (slow and fast cooling) to ambient temperatures, their influence on the structure and hardness was investigated using Xray diffraction (XRD), element distribution analysis and hardness tests. The experimental results show that appropriate heat treatments contribute to a significant improvement on the mechanical properties of selected alloy of HCWCI. The results are discussed in terms of the change in austenite phase at the different destabilisation heat treatment temperatures.