Influence of Multiphase High Silicon Steel (Retained Austenite-RA, Ferrite-F, Bainite-B and Pearlite-P) and Carbon Content of RA-Cγon Rolling/Sliding Wear

In this research work, heat-treatment processes have been utilized to obtain multiphase microstructure in the silicon rich steel samples, silicon in the steel helps in the development of multiphase microstructure and to keep away from carbide precipitation development through the austempering. The desired multiphase microstructure (Retained austenite-RA, Ferrite-F, Bainite-B and Pearlite-P) consisting of continuous cooling (CC) for 0, 20 and 40 s respectively after austenization followed by austempering at (300, 350 and 400 degrees C) to form a high wear resistance multiphase steels with microstructure varies amount of F,B, P and RA during continuous cooling. Steels with varies retained austenite up to (5 +/- 1.1 to 18 +/- 1.9%) along with excellent specific wear rate (2.038 x 10(-9)-1.061 x 10(-8) m(3)/N-m) were obtained. Further, the rolling/sliding wear rate has been obtained through the disc-on-disc experimental setup. The effect of continuous cooling on retained austenite, carbon content of retained austenite on specific rolling/sliding SWR (specific wear rate) has been studied; phase fraction (P, B and F) and the materials characterization with the help of XRD, AFM and FE-SEM.