Microstructural developments during abrasion of M50 bearing steel

• Development of ferritic structure during abrasion.
• Development of martensite structure during abrasion.
• Martensite lath sheared feature during abrasion.
• Higher abrasion resistance of martensite than ferrite.

Current study has been carried out to compare the development of microstructure in deformed zone of M50 bearing steel during abrasion. Three-body abrasive wear was carried out using abrasive test apparatus as per ASTM G 65-85 with applied load of 13 kg. Silica sand of dimension 200±50 μm was used as abrasives. The effect of deformed features in abrasion resistance has also been delineated. Crystallographic lath pocket oriented sheared features were observed after abrasion of martensite. Very less fractions of crystallographic sheared features were observed after abrasion of ferrite. The abrasion did not produce dislocation cell structure in ferrite. Ferrite associated just more dynamic recovery while martensite was concomitant to greater dynamic recrystallization. Major toughness enhancement by abundant sheared features and dynamic recrystallization in martensite resulted in higher abrasion resistance of martensite than ferrite.