A study on the dynamic characteristics of abrasion for high-chromium alloys☆

Abstract Very significant changes of microstructure in a worn surface layer will occur under sliding abrasion. These changes should be caused by wear heat and high speed deformation. Some transformation from martensite to austenite or from austenite to martensite might occur in the worn surface layers. The transformation depends on the original state of the material and the abrasive wear condition. The microstructural changes have an important influence on the wear process. The fine changes of microstructures in worn surface layers under sliding abrasion for 3Cr13 martensite stainless steel and Cr15MoCu high chromium cast iron were studied by Mossbauer spectroscopy. It was found that the diffusion and redistribution of carbon, iron and chromium atoms in worn surface layers for 3Cr13 steel took place. Iron atoms in the martensitic crystal lattice were replaced by chromium atoms. Carbon atoms diffused to the austenitic phase in the worn surface layer for Cr15MoCu cast iron transformed to austenitic phase. The transformed quantity increases with the sliding speed. However, the quantity of carbide decreased with the transformation and the carbide was dissolved into the austenitic structure.