Research on microstructure and mechanical properties of heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel

Heat resistant and wear-resistant steel is a kind of material used in many industries, such as petrochemical engineering, aerospace, vehicle manufacturing and more. It has the properties of good wear resistance, high temperature resistance and good resistance to deformation. Due to its excellent performance, heat resistant and wear-resistant steel has been widely used in engineering applications.
    
In order to meet the requirements of different application fields for heat resistant and wear-resistant steel, research efforts have been made, mainly focusing on its microstructure and mechanical properties. The research results offer great guidance for the selection of suitable materials.
    
1. Microstructure of Heat Resistant and Wear-Resistant Steel
Heat resistant and wear-resistant steel usually contains high amounts of chromium, molybdenum, tungsten and vanadium, which provides their special properties. Figure 1 shows a typical microstructure of heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel:
    
The microstructure of heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel consists of a matrix of ferrite and pearlite, as well as carbide structures, such as M3C, M7C3 and M23C6. These carbide structures are composed of Cr, Mo and Nb elements. The chromium and molybdenum provide the steel’s high temperature resistance, while the vanadium and tungsten promote its wear resistance. The hardness of the steel is also affected by its microstructure, with the harder microstructure (M7C3 and M23C6) providing higher wear resistance.
    
2. Mechanical Properties of Heat Resistant and Wear-Resistant Steel
    The mechanical properties of heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel are mainly derived from its microstructure. Table 1 shows some common mechanical properties of heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel:
    
    Table1: Mechanical Properties of Heat-Resistant and Wear-Resistant Steel
    
    Property Value
    Yield Strength σYS (MPa) >500
    Tensile Strength σUTS (MPa) >600
    Elongation Є (in %) >10
    Brinell Hardness HB (BHN) >260
    
The yield strength, tensile strength and elongation of the steel make it especially suitable for applications that require strength, such as vehicle or aircraft manufacturing. Moreover, its high Brinell hardness makes it extremely wear resistant, making it suitable for applications that require wear resistance, such as forging and moulding tools.
    
3. Conclusion
Heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel has been widely used in engineering applications due to its excellent mechanical properties, especially its outstanding wear resistance. Research on its microstructure and mechanical properties has been conducted, offering great guidance for the selection of suitable materials. With the proper selection of heat-resistant and wear-resistant steel, engineers are able to meet their technical requirements and manufacture better quality products.

---