Effect of surface curvature on tribological performance of AISI 1045 steel after multi-scan spot continual induction hardening process

In order to estimate the effect of tempering on strengthening properties after multi-scan spot continual induction hardening (SCIH) process, the tribological performance of workpiece with different surface curvatures was investigated. The results showed that the wear mechanism and contact status of flat and convex surfaces were similar. The interactive influence between concave surface and strengthening structures on friction behavior and wear performance was different from that between flat (or convex surface) and strengthening structures. The non-uniformity of microstructure was a dominant factor which affected the worn morphology in all cases. The contribution of microstructure non-uniformity to delaminated region was the largest for concave surface. The multi-scan SCIH can improve the wear resistance efficiently though strengthening region was weakened by tempering.