Surface Characteristics of an Abraded Steel and Its Tribological Application

Abstract

Abrasion induced subsurface deformation and work hardening along with related microstructural changes of the pearlitic steel has been presented. The abraded surfaces were examined with a nanoindentation appratus to evaluate the variation of nanohardness and elastic modulus with depth below sliding contact on a nanometer scale. The varing nature of influence of interlamellar spacing and the vanadium addition on the wear response of the pearlitic steel has been discussed in terms of the ratio between hardness and elastic modulus of the abraded surface which corresponds to a plasticity factor. The application for the crankshaft of the automobile is also presented.