INFLUENCE OF VANADIUM CONTENT ON THE TRIBOLOGICAL BEHAVIOUR OF X140CrMol2-l AIR-HARDENING STEEL

Abstract

The paper presents experimental testing of wear resistance of steel samples from the same groups of steel. Test results were recorded and presented in the form of diagrams showing the wear resistance of the tested materials in different sliding conditions. The tested steels have high carbon content; the addition of chromium and molybdenum results in the high hardness and low impact toughness of the steels. The addition of vanadium changes the microstructure when the metal grain becomes smaller and the whole structure is martensitic, with chromium and vanadium carbides in the metal matrix. A change in the microstructure causes a change in mechanical properties. The obtained results showed that the addition of vanadium increases impact toughness. However, it is not known how it affects wear resistance and hardness. This type of steel belongs to a new group of steels resistant to wear. A change in the vanadium content causes a decrease in the hardness and wear resistance of the steel and an increase in its impact toughness.