Study on wear performance and mechanism of austenitic and martensitic wear-resistant steel

    
    Introduction
    
    Wear-resistant steel is an important part of metal-material science. Wear-resistant steel is designed to perform in hostile, high wear environments and is used in many applications to combat the wear. This article will briefly look at the wear performance and mechanism of austenitic and martensitic wear-resistant steel.
    
    Austenitic Wear-Resistant Steel
    
    Austenitic wear-resistant steel is composed of iron and a large percentage of chromium and typically nickel and some other alloys. Vital additions to this steel alloy give it superior heat resistance. The chromium and nickel additions to the steel create an Austenite phase, allowing it to keep its strength at higher temperatures. The combination of elements reduces its rate of wear, particularly in cases of high-temperature applications. The Austenite phase is quite stable and wear resistant, making austenitic wear-resistant steel ideal for wear applications encountered in industries such as mining, power production, and automotive.
    
    Austenitic wear-resistant steel also shows good corrosion resistance due to its chromium content, which helps to create a protective layer on the surface of the steel. The combination of corrosion resistance and wear resistance make austenitic wear-resistant steel ideal for use in many applications.
    
    In wear applications, the wear mechanism of austenitic wear-resistant steel depends on the type and nature of wear. Generally, the wear performance of austenitic wear-resistant steel exists as wear-resistant films on the surface, which protect it from abrasion and erosion. However, the wear mechanism of austenitic wear-resistant steel can also involve the formation of a wear-resistant oxide layer on the surface of the steel, which is formed under high temperature and pressure conditions.
    
    Figure 1: The Wear Mechanism of Austenitic Wear-Resistant Steel (source: steelfoundry.com)
    
    Martensitic Wear-Resistant Steel
    
    Martensitic wear-resistant steel is composed of iron and typically a high amount of chromium, along with carbon and molybdenum. It is a hard, wear and corrosion-resistant steel alloy. Unlike Austenitic wear-resistant steel, which is heat-treated to achieve its wear-resistant properties, Martensitic wear-resistant steel is usually created by quench and temper processing, which causes its internal crystalline structure to become harder and stronger.
    
    The wear resistant properties of Martensitic wear-resistant steel depend mainly on whether it has been hardened or not. Generally, the harder the steel, the greater the wear resistance it has. Un-hardened Martensitic wear-resistant steel is not as wear-resistant as hardened Martensitic steel.
    
    The wear mechanism of Martensitic wear-resistant steel is generally fatigue, abrasion, and erosion. The hard Martensitic phase is resistant to abrasion, while the softer Martensite phase is more prone to erosion and fatigue. In cases of fatigue wear, the steel can be subject to deformation, which can weaken it, making it even more prone to wear.
    
    Figure 2: The Wear Mechanism of Martensitic Wear-Resistant Steel (source: steelfoundry.com)
    
    Comparison
    
    Both Austenitic and Martensitic wear-resistant steel offer different advantages, depending on their application. Generally speaking, Austenitic wear-resistant steel shows better heat resistance and corrosion resistance, while Martensitic wear-resistant steel shows better wear resistance.
    
    Conclusion
    
    This article looked at the wear performance and mechanism of austenitic and martensitic wear-resistant steel alloys. Austenitic wear-resistant steel is composed of iron and a large percentage of chromium, and has excellent heat resistance and corrosion resistance properties. Martensitic wear-resistant steel is primarily composed of iron and chromium, and is heat-treated to become harder and stronger, making it best suited for wear-resistance applications. Both Austenitic and Martensitic steel offer unique advantages for wear-resistance applications in industrial settings.

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