Effect of thermal induction cycling on wear and corrosion performance of a X90CrMoV18 (440B) martensitic stainless steel

Abstract Induction heat treatment is a promising alternative to conventional furnace-based processes for martensitic stainless steels due to its fast-processing capability and lower energy demand. In this study, induction heating combined with thermal cyclic treatment was applied to improve the microstructural homogeneity and mechanical performance of the material. The results showed a refined and stable microstructure, reduced wear loss, improved intergranular corrosion resistance, and a more uniform hardness distribution. These improvements were supported by statistical reliability analyses of hardness measurements.