Understanding the nanostructure evolution and the mechanical strengthening of the M50 bearing steel during ultrasonic shot peening

Abstract

Ultrasonic shot peening (USP) is a surface engineering technology used to enhance the mechanical properties of the components during manufacturing. M50 steel is one of the commonly used materials for aerospace bearings. In this study, surface nanocrystallization of the high-strength M50 bearing steel is performed at room temperature via USP technology. The materials characterizations show that the thickness of the lath martensite in the M50 bearing steel has been refined down to 10 nm. The extremely fine nanostructured M50 martensite increases the mechanical strength significantly at the nanoscale. Nanoindentation tests show that the nanohardness of the nanostructured M50 is 12.43 GPa, which is 38% higher than that of the as-received matrix materials with a value of 9.03 GPa. Additionally, the microstructure evolution of the M50 during the USP process is investigated and the grain refinement mechanism for M50 is revealed. EBSD characterization results confirm the transformation of the low angle grain boundaries to high angle grain boundaries and the formation of the equiaxed ultrafine grains. The decomposition of the carbides in the M50 during grain refinement is observed. This indicates that in addition to the diffusion of C, the decomposition of the carbides is also influenced by carbide-forming elements. This work deepens the current understanding of the grain refinement of the M50 bearing steel during the USP process and its mechanical strengthening at the nanoscale.