Effect of TiC on the impact abrasive wear resistance of low alloy martensitic steel

Abstract

The effect of TiC on the impact abrasive wear (IAW) resistance of low alloy martensitic steel was investigated by comparing the abrasive wear (AW) and IAW behaviours of JFE400 (without carbides) and Ti60 (with 3.25 % TiC). Under AW conditions, weight loss is mainly caused by abrasive wear. Under IAW condition, fatigue cracks are formed at the interface of deformed layer (DL) / matrix in the worn subsurface. Abrasive and delamination wear are responsible for weight loss. In addition to weaken the abrasive microploughing, TiC can also inhibit the formation of DL composed of nanosized grains by dynamic recrystallisation, thereby preventing fatigue crack propagation. Therefore, the relative wear resistance of Ti60/JFE400 increased from 1.38 (AW) to 1.60 (IAW).