Tribological evaluation of high-speed steels with a regulated carbide phase

Wear resistance of a commercial steel and titanium–niobium high-speed steels with a regulated carbide phase was evaluated by employing a micro-scale abrasive wear test with alumina particles. The worn volumes and corresponding wear coefficients were the lowest for the new non-ledeburitic grades containing titanium, then the two niobium grades, the conventional (both wrought and by powder metallurgy) steels exhibited the worse wear resistance. Fractography SEM observations together with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) chemical analysis revealed the decisive role of the steels' MC particles in the wear process. These carbides influenced the abrasion by stoppage of the wear scars and/or changing their trajectories. Directional and nondirectional abrasion modes in the steels tested using alumina and carborundum abrasives were found and are discussed.