The microstructure of examined Fe-Cr-C-V alloys consists of M7C3 and vanadium rich M6C5 carbides in austenitic matrix. Vanadium affects the solidification process in high chromium irons. With an increase of vanadium content the alloy composition approaches the eutectic composition in the quaternary Fe-Cr-C-V system, causing a decrease of the solidification temperature interval, and thereby also changing the volume fraction, size and morphology of the present phases. In the process of cooling at the same rate, the narrowing of the solidification temperature interval and the formation of larger amount of vanadium carbides, as a result of the increase in the vanadium content of the alloy, will favour the appearance of a finer structure which is manifested by
the reduced width of dendrite arms and the reduced size of eutectic M7C3 carbide. In addition, the phases volume fraction will change, i.e. the primary -phase fraction will decrease and the amount of M7C3 carbide will increase.