The wear behavior of steels 52100 and 1080 with different microstructures i
n dry sliding were systematically studied. The results show that in the reg
ion of mild wear there was no obvious difference in wear volume for the var
ious microstructures. However, a considerable difference in wear volume (or
wear rate) was observed for severe wear. The wear resistance of different
microstructures is increased in the following order: martensite + carbide retained austenite; spheroidized structure (ferrite plus spheroidized ceme
ntite), martensite, bainite, lamellar pearlite. The results also-showed tha
t there is no simple relationship between the hardness of original structur
e and wear resistance in sliding wear. Based on an analysis of the relation
ship between the microstructural thermal stability and microstructure with
wear resistance, it was found that the difference in wear resistance of the
various microstructures is closely related to the microstructural thermal
stability, resistance to plastic deformation, and resistance to nucleation
and propagation of microcracks. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights r
eserved.