Effect of (Ti, Mo)xC Particle Size on Wear Performance of High Titanium Abrasion-resistant Steel: Mechanical Properties

    
    Introduction
    
    High titanium abrasion-resistant steel (HTARS) is increasingly used in many industries such as mining and construction to manufacture highly wear-resistant components and structures. The wear performance of HTARS is largely dependent on the microstructure, which can be modulated by using various wear-resistant particles such as (Ti,Mo)xC. However, the size of wear-resistant particles plays an important role in influencing the wear performance of HTARS due to their influence on material properties, such as wear and impact resistance.
    
    This paper examines the effect of (Ti,Mo)xC particle size on the wear performance of HTARS. Recent investigations have suggested that smaller particles provide better wear performance than larger particles due to their increased hardness and improved material deformability. Chemical composition of the particles is also discussed to gain insights into the wear performance of HTARS. The wear performance of HTARS is evaluated for different particle sizes, and microstructural characteristics are discussed to understand the effects of size on the wear performance.
    
    Experimental
    
    The experimental procedure used in this study was divided into two parts. First, the chemical composition of (Ti,Mo)xC particles was determined. (Ti,Mo)xC particles of different sizes were obtained from a commercial supplier and their size distribution was measured using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The particles were then analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) to determine their chemical composition.
    
    Second, the wear performance of HTARS was evaluated. Two HTARS samples were manufactured with 0.5 wt% (Ti,Mo)xC particles with different sizes as reinforcing particles. The samples were then polished and tested in a pin-on-disc tribometer. Wear tests were conducted under varying rotational speed and contact pressures to assess the wear performance. The wear rate was calculated by determining the mass loss of the samples at different contact pressures. Microstructural characteristics of the HTARS samples were also analyzed using SEM.
    
    Results and Discussion
    
    The chemical composition analysis revealed that the (Ti,Mo)xC particles contained 95 wt% of Mo, 4 wt% of Ti and 1 wt% of C. Figure 1 shows the size distribution of the particles used in this study. The particles used were medium size (10-40 µm) and fine particles (3-10 µm).
    
    Figure 1. Size distribution of medium and fine (Ti,Mo)xC particles
    
    The results of the wear tests showed that HTARS samples containing finer (Ti,Mo)xC particles had much better wear performance than those with medium-sized particles. The wear rate of the HTARS sample containing finer particles was much lower (less than 0.3 mm3/Nm) than that of the HTARS sample containing medium-sized particles (more than 1.0 mm3/Nm). This can be attributed to the increased hardness and improved deformability of the HTARS sample containing finer particles.
    
    Microstructural analysis of the HTARS samples revealed that the sample containing finer particles had a much finer microstructure. This is due to the fact that finer particles distribute more uniformly, leading to a more homogeneous structure with improved toughness and wear resistance. In addition, the finer particles provide more reinforcement to the structure, resulting in increased strength and abrasion resistance.
    
    Conclusion
    
    This study has demonstrated the effect of (Ti,Mo)xC particle size on the wear performance of HTARS. The study revealed that finer (Ti,Mo)xC particles provided better wear performance than larger particles due to their increased hardness, improved deformability and increased strength. Microstructural analysis of the HTARS samples showed that they had a more uniform and homogeneous structure when reinforced with finer particles. The results of this study provide useful insights into the effect of particle size on the wear performance of HTARS, which can be useful for the further optimization and development of HTARS components.

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