The Influence of Heat Treatment of High-Strength Steels on the Change of Tribological Properties by the Ball on Flat Method

Advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) have their current applications directed mainly to the automotive industry, where they use modern metallurgical techniques to develop microstructures with retained austenite, which leads to an improvement in the combination of strength and ductility through transformation-induced-plasticity (TRIP). The main priority of the research work will be a detailed examination and optimization of the heat treatment parameters of medium-manganese steels, specifically by the Quenching and Partitioning (Q&P) method and the expansion of experimental data related to the increase of wear resistance of these materials. The issue of the application of medium-manganese high-strength AHSS steels in the field of tribology is currently very relevant. Mid-manganese AHSS steels, which show significant wear resistance, have the potential to replace traditional Hadfield Mn steels that contain 10-14 wt. % manganese. With the help of specifically designed heating and cooling cycles, it is possible to improve their wear resistance through metastable retained austenite, which has significant potential in demanding industrial environments. This scientific study examines the possibilities of increasing the economic efficiency of the production and use of AHSS steels in various industrial areas and at the same time reducing costs compared to expensive wear-resistant steels. A key aspect of the research is the experimental evaluation of heat treatment optimization to maximize resistance to mechanical damage and extend the life of materials in various applications.