Microstructure and wear properties of carburized layer on Cr-Co-Mo bearing steel

doi:10.13251/j.issn.0254-6051.2025.04.041

Abstract

Abstract: Microstructure and friction and wear properties of carburized layer of a Cr-Co-Mo carburizing bearing steel after quenching at 1060 ℃, cryogenic treating twice at -73 ℃ and tempering twice at 540 ℃ were investigated by means of metallurgical microscope, scanning electron microscope, hardness test and Thermo-Calc software calculation. The results show that after low pressure pulse carburization at 980 ℃ for 50 h, the carbides in carburized layer of the tested steel are mainly M₂₃C₆, and a small number of M₇C₃ and M₆C carbides. The carburization significantly increases the hardness of the steel, resulting in a increment of 230 HV, and the carburized depth is about 1.55 mm. The friction coefficient of the uncarburized steel is larger, and the wear volume is about 5 times of that of the carburized steel. After carburizing, only slight wear occurs at the carburized layer, the wear resistance is significantly improved, and the main wear mechanisms are still adhesive wear and abrasive wear.

Key words: bearing steel, carburizing, microstructure, carbides, hardness, friction and wear properties

CLC Number:

TG142.1

Li Haihong, Zhu Liuping, Pang Xuedong, Sun Yong, Chi Hongxiao, Gu Jinbo. Microstructure and wear properties of carburized layer on Cr-Co-Mo bearing steel[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(4): 264-269.

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