Effect of bainite layer by LSMCIT on wear resistance of medium-carbon bainite steel at different temperatures

In this work, bainite layer was prepared by Laser surface melting combined with isothermal treatment (LSMCIT) at 250 °C. The microstructures of the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Their wear resistances at 20 °C, 100 °C and 200 °C were measured using reciprocating tribometer. After the wear test, the confocal laser scanning microscope and SEM were used to characterize the topography of all abrasion surfaces, and the phase transformations occurred on the contact surfaces were analyzed by XRD. The results show that the microstructure of the LSMCIT sample has been refined to nanoscale. The wear volume reduction ratio of LSMCIT sample is 40.9% at 20 °C. The wear resistances of the samples are decreased with increasing of the temperature, however, the decrease in amplitude of the bainite is relatively small. The harder surface of the LSMCIT sample can provides higher mechanical support, and the white-etching layer on surface are difficult to remove by the reciprocating friction. The wear resistances of the LSMCIT samples at 20 °C, 100 °C and 200 °C are excellent, which shows the wide temperature ranges in wear applications.