Effect of Heat Treatment on the Residual Austenite Content, Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Ledeburitic Chromium Steels.

In ledeburitic chromium steels with 1. 5-2. 6% C, 12% Cr and up to 1. 5% Mo, 1% V or 2. 5% Ti the residual austenite content was maintained in the range from 0 to 40% by varying the quenching and tempering temperatures while maintaining a constant hardness of 770 HV. It was found that with an increase in the residual austenite content the wear rate is the sandpaper test is reduced, and the number of load cycles to fracture is lengthened. A decrease in strength in the three-point bending test is observed only at residual austenite contents above 30%. Precipitation-hardened samples possess higher strength and toughness than low-tempered samples.