Influence of Annealing Process on Wear Resistance of AISI 431 Martensitic Stainless Steel

Abstract

Stainless steel is well known for its good corrosion resistance. It is easily available in the market at low cost. Martensitic stainless steels are hard and brittle in nature, it lacks ductility. Therefore hardness, brittleness, ductility has to be balanced in martensitic stainless steel. Annealing is chosen for this research work to maintain balance between ductility and brittleness. Martensitic stainless steel samples were cut into five small pieces of length 40 mm and diameter 12 mm each by using a lathe machine. Annealing process were carried out for three specimens to the temperature 7200C, 8200C, 9200C and were named as AN1, AN2, AN3 respectively. One sample is kept aside as untreated for comparison purpose. A wear test was performed on all specimens using a pin-on-disc wear tester to evaluate the material’s wear resistance. The results of all samples were compared using a scanning electron microscope and the best material is chosen for the required application.