Enhancing the tensile performance of 12Cr17Mn6Ni5N steel weld joints through strengthened grinding process-induced gradient structures

Abstract

This paper investigates the surface enhancement treatment of 12Cr17Mn6Ni5N steel weld joints using the Strengthened Grinding Process (SGP) and explores its effect on their surface characteristics and tensile performance. The study begins by examining the influence of different SGP durations on the weld joints' surface morphology, microhardness, and residual stress. Subsequently, the tensile properties of the SGP-treated samples are analyzed and the potential mechanisms by which SGP enhances the tensile performance of 12Cr17Mn6Ni5N steel weld joints are discussed. The results reveal that SGP treatment increases the maximum microhardness of 12Cr17Mn6Ni5N steel weld joints to 519.3 HV, marking a 109.9 % improvement as compared to untreated samples. Additionally, the samples’ surface residual stress was changed from residual tensile stress (46.5 MPa) to residual compressive stress (−1253.1 MPa). The SGP-treated samples exhibit a tensile strength of 671.43 MPa, marking an 8.51 % increase as compared to the untreated samples, while also achieving a simultaneous elongation of 16.42 %. The research demonstrates that SGP is an effective method for enhancing the tensile performance of specific mechanical components.