Study of the Effect of Structure and Phase Composition on the Wear Resistance of Sparingly Alloyed Metastable and Secondary Hardening Steels

Abstract

Introduction. The paper considers the influence of wear on the formation of a “white band” in metastable austenitic, martensitic-austenitic and secondary hardening steels of the Cr−Mn−Ti system additionally alloyed with Mo, B, V. The influence of the structure and phase composition on the wear resistance of sparing. Results. Surfacing of the studied materials was carried out in copper molds with different rates of forced cooling. Metastable austenitic, martensitic-austenitic and secondary hardening steels of the Cr−Mn−Ti system additionally alloyed with Mo, B, V were studied. Additional alloying of these steels with titanium in an amount of 2...5 % contributed to the prevention of spalling along the fusion zone. Near the fusion line there is a base metal zone with a width of 7...15 µm. After testing at the volume temperature of the working part of the specimen ТV = 553…573 K in the contact volumes of the deposited metal of the 30Kh2V8F type, broadening of the grain boundaries, shear lines, finer grains compared to the underlying layers were revealed. Outside the zone of plastic deformation, the size of the grains corresponds to their sizes before the start of testing, the grain boundaries are relatively thin. The number and location of carbides observed at X430, X80O magnifications are also similar to the structural characteristics of the deposited metal of the 30Kh2V8F type. At close values of the contact pressure in the friction pair, the time of formation of a crack of critical length increases with an increase in the effective surface energy γе (including the energy of plastic deformation). Thus, the crack resistance indices (CR, j-integral, δС) and, consequently, the wear resistance of maraging steels are higher than those of metastable and tool steels. Conclusions. The conducted studies confirm the possibility of the formation of a “white band” both in alloys with a high concentration of elements − austenitizers (Mn, C, Ni), and when alloyed with carbide-forming elements with a relatively low affinity for carbon (V, Mo). The crack resistance indices (CR, j-integral, δС) and, consequently, the wear resistance of maraging steels is higher than those of metastable and tool steels.