INVESTIGATION OF MICROSTRUCTURE, HARDNESS AND WEAR PROPERTİES OF 0.5% CR AND 0.5% NI ADDED TO UNALLOY POWDER METAL STEEL AFTER DIFFERENT HEAT TREATMENTS

Abstract

This study will look at how adding 0.5% Cr and 0.5% Ni to unalloyed powder metal steel affects the material's microstructure, hardness, and wear characteristics after various heat treatments. After austenitization, this non-alloy steel was heat treated by chilling it in various cooling conditions using powder metallurgy (TM). We looked at how various heat treatments affected the resulting alloy's hardness, wear characteristics, and microstructure in dry conditions. In this case, a powder mixer, powder pressing mold, hydraulic press, and an atmosphere-controlled sinter furnace were utilized for the sintering process during the creation of the sample using the TM method. Shimadzu brand micro hardness measuring equipment, Nikon brand optical light microscope for microstructure investigation, Protherm brand heat treatment furnace for heat treatment, and 4D-ECN model Tribometer device for wear tests were all utilized. Under 20N load, 100 meters of sliding distance, and 0.02 m/s sliding speed, the wear test was conducted. At 800 °C, the heat treatment was applied. The first sample was allowed to cool in water, the second in air, and the third in an oven after an hour of waiting at the austenitizing temperature. According to the findings, the samples that were cooled in water had the highest hardness value, while the samples that were chilled in an oven had the maximum wear area loss.