Influence of different cryotreatments on tribological behavior of 80CrMo12 5 cold work tool steel

This experimental study investigated the effect of cryogenic treatments on the wear behavior of 80CrMo12 5 tool steel. For this purpose, two different cryogenic temperatures were used: −80 °C as the shallow cryogenic temperature and −196 °C as the deep cryogenic temperature. The results showed that the cryogenic treatments decrease retained austenite, which is more effective in the case of the deep cryogenic treatment (DCT). As a result, a remarkable improvement in the wear resistance of the cryogenically treated specimens was observed. In addition, DCT increases the percentage of carbides and their homogeneity in distribution. An optimum holding time was found in the deep cryogenic temperature, in which the hardness and wear resistance show maximum values. Moreover, the wear debris and worn surfaces showed that the dominant mechanism in the wear test is adhesive.