Microstructure and performance evolution of 18CrNiMo7-6 alloy steel under ultrasonic rolling and sliding wear properties

ZH Liu and P Tang and JP Li and LS Liang and LX Li, MATERIALS CHARACTERIZATION, 225, 115193 (2025).

DOI: 10.1016/j.matchar.2025.115193

In this study, 18CrNiMo7-6 alloy steel was subjected to ultrasonic rolling under various static pressures to examine the effects on surface microstructure, morphology, residual stress, and microhardness. Dry friction tests were conducted at room temperature, and molecular dynamics simulations were used to explore the relationship between grain refinement and the alloy's friction and wear properties. The results show that ultrasonic rolling induces substantial grain refinement, leading to the formation of gradient nanostructures. Grain boundary migration and rotation are identified as the primary plastic deformation mechanisms that enhance wear resistance. Additionally, the wear mechanism shifts from adhesive wear in untreated samples to abrasive wear after treatment, resulting in a notable improvement in wear resistance, especially under higher static pressures.

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