Relations between wear resistance and transformation induced martensite (αphase), dislocation strengthening of austenitic medium manganese steel

The relationship between wear resistance and transformation-induced martensite (α phase) and, dislocation strengthening of austenitic medium manganese steels under non-severe impact loading conditions had been studied by means of TEM, X-ray diffraction, a laboratory wear test and work sites test. The results indicate that for medium manganese steels with lower austenitic stability, the formation of transformation-induced martensite and the interaction of dislocations with it can increase the work hardening ability and wear resistance. The increase of work hardening and wear resistance of manganese steels with higher austenitic stability is the result of interaction of the solute atoms and second phase hard particles. Therefore, an effective way of increasing the work hardening ability and wear resistance is to decrease the C and Mn contents and form a large amount of dispersed fine hard particles, or to increase the concentration of solute atoms.