Influence of enamel ageing on mechanical properties and phase composition of the steel-enamel system

Abstract

An effect of the enamel ageing on the mechanical properties and composition of the steel-enamel system was monitored by means of conversion electron and transmission Mössbauer spectroscopy, electron-microprobe analysis, thermogravimetry and microhardness measurement. Two enamels differing in the time delay between their preparation and application on the steel surface (1 day vs 30 days) were used for this comparative study. After the enamelling procedure, the qualitative phase composition of both samples is similar, including -Fe, FeO, Fe3O4, -Fe2O3, Fe2SiO4 and the FeNi particles. Despite this similar qualitative phase composition of differently aged enamels, the mechanical properties of the samples are significantly different.