Effect of Heat Treatments on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Novel Light-mass Austenitic Wear-resistant Steel

A novel light-mass high Mn-Al austenitic wear-resistant steel was selected as the research object. The microstructure and precipitates were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). Effect of heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties of the novel steel was studied. Results show that the optimum heat treatment is water toughening at 1050[degrees]C for 1h and aging at 550[degrees]C for 2h, air cooling. Under the condition of the optimum heat treatment, fine (Fe,Mn) sub(3) AlC carbides which have a perovskite structure are found to precipitate within the austenite matrix. The fine carbides not only strengthen the austenitic matrix, but its mechanical properties are also improved significantly. The hardness, strength, impact toughness of the experiment steel under the optimal heat treatment reach the best match with a tensile strength of 825MPa, a yield strength of 574MPa, a impact toughness values (