Enhancing Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Eutectoid Pearlitic Steel through Low-Temperature Annealing: Microstructural Transformations and Performance Implications in Railway Applications

This study investigates the impact of low-temperature annealing treatment at 200°C on the wear resistance and mechanical properties of eutectoid pearlitic steel, commonly used in railway applications. This research primarily focused on understanding the microstructural changes and their correlation...

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Main Authors: G. Tressia, L.H.D. Alves, H. Goldenstein, C.R. Grandini, M.A. Mohtadi-Bonab, M. Masoumi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Associação Brasileira de Metalurgia e Materiais (ABM); Associação Brasileira de Cerâmica (ABC); Associação Brasileira de Polímeros (ABPol) 2025-01-01
Series:Materials Research
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-14392024000100316&lng=en&tlng=en
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author G. Tressia
L.H.D. Alves
H. Goldenstein
C.R. Grandini
M.A. Mohtadi-Bonab
M. Masoumi
author_facet G. Tressia
L.H.D. Alves
H. Goldenstein
C.R. Grandini
M.A. Mohtadi-Bonab
M. Masoumi
author_sort G. Tressia
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the impact of low-temperature annealing treatment at 200°C on the wear resistance and mechanical properties of eutectoid pearlitic steel, commonly used in railway applications. This research primarily focused on understanding the microstructural changes and their correlation with mechanical hardness and wear resistance. Microhardness testing indicated that the hardness of the initial pearlitic microstructure increased from 370 HV to 400 HV following the low-temperature annealing treatment. This increase in hardness was linked to a substantial improvement in wear resistance, evidenced by a 27% decrease in wear rate. Additionally, the low-temperature annealed samples demonstrated a yield strength increase of approximately 21%, albeit with a slight reduction in total elongation. High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis post-treatment revealed the emergence of nanoscale transition carbides, needle-type transition carbides, with a hexagonal structure, contributed to an increased nano-hardness of the pearlitic structure from 4.16 GPa to 6.78 GPa. The results suggest that the low-temperature annealing process not only enhances the hardness and wear resistance of pearlitic steel but also induces favorable microstructural changes that could significantly extend the service life of railway components.
format Article
id doaj-art-42e56671299a46b1980b4c4bf9bdcf78
institution Kabale University
issn 1516-1439
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Associação Brasileira de Metalurgia e Materiais (ABM); Associação Brasileira de Cerâmica (ABC); Associação Brasileira de Polímeros (ABPol)
record_format Article
series Materials Research
spelling doaj-art-42e56671299a46b1980b4c4bf9bdcf782025-01-21T07:42:26ZengAssociação Brasileira de Metalurgia e Materiais (ABM); Associação Brasileira de Cerâmica (ABC); Associação Brasileira de Polímeros (ABPol)Materials Research1516-14392025-01-012710.1590/1980-5373-mr-2024-0295Enhancing Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Eutectoid Pearlitic Steel through Low-Temperature Annealing: Microstructural Transformations and Performance Implications in Railway ApplicationsG. Tressiahttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-1255-0483L.H.D. AlvesH. GoldensteinC.R. Grandinihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3336-309XM.A. Mohtadi-BonabM. Masoumihttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-4365-6734This study investigates the impact of low-temperature annealing treatment at 200°C on the wear resistance and mechanical properties of eutectoid pearlitic steel, commonly used in railway applications. This research primarily focused on understanding the microstructural changes and their correlation with mechanical hardness and wear resistance. Microhardness testing indicated that the hardness of the initial pearlitic microstructure increased from 370 HV to 400 HV following the low-temperature annealing treatment. This increase in hardness was linked to a substantial improvement in wear resistance, evidenced by a 27% decrease in wear rate. Additionally, the low-temperature annealed samples demonstrated a yield strength increase of approximately 21%, albeit with a slight reduction in total elongation. High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy analysis post-treatment revealed the emergence of nanoscale transition carbides, needle-type transition carbides, with a hexagonal structure, contributed to an increased nano-hardness of the pearlitic structure from 4.16 GPa to 6.78 GPa. The results suggest that the low-temperature annealing process not only enhances the hardness and wear resistance of pearlitic steel but also induces favorable microstructural changes that could significantly extend the service life of railway components.http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-14392024000100316&lng=en&tlng=enPearlitic steelnanoscale carbide formationwear resistance improvementrail steel durability
spellingShingle G. Tressia
L.H.D. Alves
H. Goldenstein
C.R. Grandini
M.A. Mohtadi-Bonab
M. Masoumi
Enhancing Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Eutectoid Pearlitic Steel through Low-Temperature Annealing: Microstructural Transformations and Performance Implications in Railway Applications
Materials Research
Pearlitic steel
nanoscale carbide formation
wear resistance improvement
rail steel durability
title Enhancing Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Eutectoid Pearlitic Steel through Low-Temperature Annealing: Microstructural Transformations and Performance Implications in Railway Applications
title_full Enhancing Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Eutectoid Pearlitic Steel through Low-Temperature Annealing: Microstructural Transformations and Performance Implications in Railway Applications
title_fullStr Enhancing Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Eutectoid Pearlitic Steel through Low-Temperature Annealing: Microstructural Transformations and Performance Implications in Railway Applications
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Eutectoid Pearlitic Steel through Low-Temperature Annealing: Microstructural Transformations and Performance Implications in Railway Applications
title_short Enhancing Wear Resistance and Mechanical Properties of Eutectoid Pearlitic Steel through Low-Temperature Annealing: Microstructural Transformations and Performance Implications in Railway Applications
title_sort enhancing wear resistance and mechanical properties of eutectoid pearlitic steel through low temperature annealing microstructural transformations and performance implications in railway applications
topic Pearlitic steel
nanoscale carbide formation
wear resistance improvement
rail steel durability
url http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1516-14392024000100316&lng=en&tlng=en
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