Surface structure of stainless and Hadfield steel after impact wear

After impact wear, the very surface of stainless austenitic CrMnCN steel and austenitic MnC Hadfield steel revealed a thin fully amorphous layer followed by a layer of nanocrystals embedded in an amorphous surrounding, which was supported by a severely cold worked layer of austenite below. The new high-strength stainless steel contained C + N = 0.82 mass% and exceeded Hadfield steel in respect to proof strength, elongation, work to fracture and wear rate.