Evaluation of effect of chromium on wear performance of high manganese steel

The effects of elements such as Ni, Mo, Cr, Cu, and V on the wear behaviour of high manganese steels have been reported extensively. Most researchers agree on the influence of many of the elements but disagree on the effect of Cr. A study has been conducted to evaluate the effect of 1.7 and 2.3 wt-%Cr on high manganese steel when subjected to various wear conditions: impact loading, abrasion, combined impact-abrasion, and combined abrasion-corrosion. The study has revealed that adding Cr to high manganese steel resulted in an increase in hardness and hardenability, and a decrease in toughness. The effect on wear resistance was found to depend on the wear conditions. Chromium alloyed high manganese steels showed superior wear resistance compared with plain Hadfield steels where corrosion, abrasion, and combined impact-abrasion conditions prevailed. Such conditions required a high surface hardness. Plain Hadfield steel showed superior wear resistance in conditions where pure impact wear is encountered. Such conditions required an increase in toughness rather than surface hardness.