Effect of martensitic reversal and grain size on the corrosion and wear behaviour of Cr-Mn steel

Abstract

In this study, the effect of corrosion and wear behaviour of Cr-Mn steel on fine grains were investigated. The sample were solution annealed (SA) for 1 h at 1050 °C and then cold rolled (CW) to 30%. Further the cold rolled sample were thermally aged (CW + TA) 900 °C for four hours. The findings showed that under the 10 N applied load, wear resistance increased with an increase in hardness and martensite fraction of the cold worked (CW) samples. However, the Cr-Mn steel had the superior wear resistance after thermal ageing (TA). In microstructural examination deformation bands can also be visible in cold work samples. The analysis implies that the γ-phase is apparent across all peaks within the spectra of SA samples. In instances involving 30% cold work, prominent α′ martensite peaks were observed, accompanied by minimal ε-martensite peaks. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analysis discloses a reduction in impedance and a concurrent increase in the defect density of the passive film. The CW+TA structure with good inclusive performances created an early constant hardened layer, which didn’t delaminate and peel off prematurely, thereby effectively increasing the wear resistance, according to analysis of the wear mechanism. The results also concluded that the corrosion resistance of CW sample decreases due to SIM formation, however CW+TA sample provide better corrosion resistance due to smaller and refined grain size.