EFFECT OF FRETTING AMPLITUDE ON MICROSTRUCTURE OF 1C-1-CENTER-DOT-5CRSTEEL

A successive grinding technique was used to examine the changes in mic rostructure generated by fretting of a 1C-1.5Cr steel. The findings in dicated that the white phase was precipitation hardened austenite and that it grew laterally by coalescence of initial areas of a few microm etres. Frequently, very small modifications of the initial microstruct ure were found near the white phase. This is explained by the small qu antity of heat generated and its rapid dissipation in the steel. Simil ar carbide precipitates to those in the white phase were found in area s of residual austenite in rapidly solidified water atomised particles of the same type of steel. (C) 1996 The Institute of Materials.