Tribo-metallographic behavior of high carbon steels in dry sliding II. Microstructure and wear

The wear behavior of steels 52100 and 1080 with different microstructures in dry sliding were systematically studied. The results show that in the region of mild wear there was no obvious difference in wear volume for the various microstructures. However, a considerable difference in wear volume (or wear rate) was observed for severe wear. The wear resistance of different microstructures is increased in the following order: martensite + carbide + retained austenite, spheroidized structure (ferrite plus spheroidized cementite), martensite, bainite, lamellar pearlite. The results also showed that there is no simple relationship between the hardness of original structure and wear resistance in sliding wear. Based on an analysis of the relationship between the microstructural thermal stability and microstructure with wear resistance, it was found that the difference in wear resistance of the various microstructures is closely related to the microstructural thermal stability, resistance to plastic deformation, and resistance to nucleation and propagation of microcracks.