The Metastability of Retained Austenite in Multiphase Steel during Abrasive Wear

This article presents the results of a study of the effects of the amount and metastability of retained austenite on the abrasive wear resistance of 0.55% C–Si–Mn–Cr–Mo–V–Nb steel subjected to Q&P treatment to obtain a heterogeneous martensite/bainite/austenite structure. The content of retained austenite varied from 13 to 28%, while the carbon content in austenite varied from 0.97 to 1.23%. The wear tests were carried out according to the three-body abrasion scheme using quartz or corundum as an abrasive. The microstructure and worn surface of the steel were examined using an electron scanning microscope and X-ray analysis. It has been established that during the transition from corundum to quartz the tendency of austenite to deformation martensitic transformation during wear decreased sharply. The wear of the steel is inversely proportional to its hardness and the amount of austenite that transforms to martensite during wear. The latter tendency is more pronounced under testing with a softer abrasive. In this case, Q&P treated steel is superior in wear resistance to martensite quenched steel.