Effect of cryogenic treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of a low carbon Cr-Co-Mo-Ni high alloy bearing steel

doi:10.13251/j.issn.0254-6051.2025.05.004

Abstract

Abstract: Effect of cryogenic treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of a low-carbon Cr-Co-Mo-Ni high alloy bearing steel was investigated through microstructure characterization by SEM, TEM, EBSD and XRD. The results show that microstructure of the steel after conventional quenching and tempering (QT) contains irregularly sized retained austenite, of which the volume fraction is over 35%, mainly in block-like morphologies. Introducing cryogenic treatment between quenching and tempering (QCT) leads to a reduction by about 70% in volume fraction, a refinement in sizes and evener distribution in matrix for retained austenite due to transformation to martensite. This transformation also results in an increase in dislocation density and a decrease in martensite lath size, both retain after tempering. As a results, the strengths are significantly enhanced while the ductility and toughness are slightly reduced. Comparing to processing by QT, the yield strength and tensile strength of the tested steel after processing by QCT increase by about 860 MPa (about 173%) and about 310 MPa (about 20%), respectively. Additionally, due to the presence of a certain amount of evenly distributed retained austenite in the matrix, the steel still possesses a quite good ductility and toughness after QCT.

Key words: low carbon high alloy bearing steel, cryogenic treatment, microstructure, mechanical properties

CLC Number:

TG142.12

Zeng Kailun, Wang Yingchun, Yang Bin, Qiu Xuyangfan, Gu Jinbo, Chi Hongxiao, Cheng Xingwang. Effect of cryogenic treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of a low carbon Cr-Co-Mo-Ni high alloy bearing steel[J]. Heat Treatment of Metals, 2025, 50(5): 22-26.

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