Abstract
The friction layers produced on SAE type 1065 and 20Mn2WNbB steels during laboratory friction testing have been characterised using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. A white layer is formed on the surface of SAE 1065 steel, composed of abnormal quenched martensite with a microhardness of 1020 HV(100 g). A dark grey friction layer with a microhardness of 600 HV(100 g) is formed on the surface of 20Mn2WNbB steel. This layer consists of tempered lath martensite with a low carbon content. Formation of the white layer in SAE 1065 steel occurs through austenitisation of the steel surface due to friction at a high sliding rate, followed by rapid cooling to a martensite structure. The martensite structure in this white layer exhibits a finer grain size and higher dislocation density than that obtained by normal quenching. However, in 20Mn2WNbB steel, the quenched martensite structure is transformed into tempered martensite by self-tempering during cooling. Charpy impact tests show that the impact toughness of SAE 1065 steel is significantly decreased owing to the presence of the white layer. However, there is only a small effect of the friction layer on the impact toughness of 20Mn2WNbB steel.
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