Abrasive wear behavior of different case depth gas carburized AISI 8620 gear steel

In this study, abrasive wear behaviors of gas carburized AISI 8620 steels with different case depths were examined. AISI 8620 steels yield excellent carburizing results and are used in manufacturing of gears. Two carburized and quenched specimens with different case depths were produced. Specimens were prepared at HEMA Gear Factory. Wear tests were carried out using pin-on disc test machine. Specimens were abraded under 10, 25 and 40 N loads by using 80 grid Al₂O₃ and SiC abrasive papers. Mass losses were measured using an electronic balance with accuracy of 10⁻⁴ g. Results of this study reveal that data on laboratory samples can be used to interpret the abrasive wear performance of AISI 8620 gas carburized steel gears. It has been observed that gas carburizing time affects the case depth, and in turn, specimen with higher case depth has shown better wear resistance. In addition to this, as the case depth has increased, the hardness of the material has increased as well.