Austempered ductile irons (ADIs) are used in applications commonly exposed to severe contact conditions, and as a consequence wear damage frequently followed by failure of components. Hence, wear resistance of the material governs the final life time of a component. In the present work, the sliding wear resistance of two ausferritic spheroidal graphite ductile irons ADI1 and ADI2 used commonly in mining and construction equipment was investigated. ADI1 and ADI2 were heat treated to a similar strength, the volume fraction of the carbon-rich austenite in ADI1 and ADI2 was around 30% and 16%, respectively, and they both contained 10 – 13% nodular graphite. The wear tests were performed using a slider-on-flat-surface (SOFS) tribometer. Case-hardened steel plates made of a high strength steel, 22NiCrMo12–F, were used as the counterface. The wear tests were conducted under lubricated sliding contact at normal loads of 50, 100, 200 and 300 N, and at each load level sliding at 100, 200 and 300 m. The friction force between contacting surfaces was continuously monitored during sliding. The lubrication used in the present investigation was a mineral-oil-based paste commonly used in applications where high frictional heating is generated. Wear mechanisms of the tested specimens were investigated by means of optical and scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the wear damage was quantified using a 3D-profile optical interferometer. The main wear mechanisms, severe plastic deformation and surface delamination, were discussed concerning test conditions and material properties. The ADI1 grade with the higher volume of carbon-rich austenite displayed better resistance to sliding wear at high normal loads. The higher normal loads promoted larger deformation at and beneath the contact surface and initiated austenite transformation into hard martensite. Thus, it was concluded that the increase of wear resistance in ADI1 was due to the formation of marteniste. On the other hand, the ADI2 grade with higher silicon content showed lower wear resistance at high normal loads. This was associated with cracking of the proeutectoid ferrite presented in ADI2.

Machinery components used in demanding applications are required to transmit or carry mechanical loads under severe loading conditions. They are subjected to cyclic loading and repeated sliding contact that in many cases result in a premature failure of components. Cyclic loading cause mechanical fatigue failure, while repeated sliding contact cause wear damage at the surface of components that can initiate crack nucleation and propagation under cyclic load. Wear and fatigue are the most common failure modes occurring in machinery components, and a synergetic effect of these two mechanisms accelerates component failure and reduces its service life. Understanding failure mechanisms and understanding the synergetic effect of wear and fatigue in relation to the components are therefore of high importance. In the present study, a detailed failure analysis was conducted on rock drilling components used under severe working conditions. Rock drill thread joints failed in the field application and cold-work punches working against advanced high-strength steels were investigated. Repeated laboratory sliding wear tests under high contact stresses have been performed on a number of high-strength metal alloys frequently used in demanding applications. A slider on flat surface SOFS tribo-tester and a three-point bending fatigue tester were used to simulate the wear and fatigue found in demanding applications. In particular, the influence of wear on the fatigue life of a high-strength steel was investigated. Surface analysis techniques were employed using instruments as 3D profile optical interferometer, scanning electron microscope, scanning transmission electron microscope, light optical microscope and X-ray diffractometer, to investigate the wear damage on the worn specimens, and to study fracture mechanisms of the failed specimens. The study describes the dominant failure modes of the present components when subjected to severe loading conditions. Further, the results explained dominant wear mechanisms encountered under high-pressure sliding contact. In addition, it described the influence of wear damage on fatigue life when a high-strength steel was exposed to cyclic stresses.

Machinery components used in demanding applications where severe contact conditions results in premature component failure. Wear and fatigue are considered as the most common failure mechanisms for such components. In general, the service life of a component is estimated based on its fatigue strength. However, wear might also have a significant effect on the component’s life too. Sliding wear results in surface damages that can be critical for metal alloys when subjected to cyclic stresses. Therefore, knowledge about sliding wear of metal alloys is a key factor in component designing. In addition, understanding the influence of sliding wear on fatigue life of metals will help to predict the component’s service life. 

The present study was focused on wear mechanisms of high-strength steels and ductile cast irons occurred under repeated sliding contact. Further, this study investigated the influence of wear on fatigue performance of a high-strength steel when subjected to cyclic bending. 

In the last decades, significant improvements regarding the design, materials and technology of rock drills have been made. Likewise, in sheet metal forming, forming tools experience very high contact pressures when processing high strength steel sheets. In both applications components operate under extremely tough contact conditions that result in an accelerated component failure. Enhancements on mechanical properties of components material subjected to extreme contact conditions are highly required in order to withstand the application loads and prevent severe wear.

The present thesis was focused on understanding of machinery component damage mechanisms under severe contact conditions. A case study of worn components used in rock drilling and sheet metal cold work was carried out. Thread joints from rock drilling and punches from sheet metal pressing were selected for the investigation. For these components, sliding contact under high contact pressure is a common load condition under the components usage. Then, to understand and quantify the influence of contact parameters, load and surface quality on material performance, laboratory simulations were performed. The results were used for a comparative analysis of the typical damage mechanisms observed in the tests and the case study of the components.

The case study results showed that the threaded surfaces underwent severe plastic deformation due to the high-pressure sliding contact. The microstructure beneath the worn surface was altered and surface cracks and delamination were frequently observed at the worn surface. The dominant damage mechanism found on the investigated punches was adhesive wear. Material transfer adds friction stresses at the punch surface and ultimately, with repeated punch strokes, it leads to initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks.

Wear process in thread joint and punch wear was simulated using the SOFS. The worn specimens tested experimentally showed similar wear mechanisms obtained in the case study. The thread joint wear simulation showed that the total damage at the worn surface was a result of adhesive wear, plastic deformation, and initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks. In addition, the results showed that the type of motion had a significant influence on the worn volume and crack initiation, and more severe wear was observed at reciprocal motion. The punch wear simulation showed that the friction quickly increased as work material from metal sheets transferred to the disc surface. The rate of the material transfer was strongly dependent on the combination of sheet material and tool steel. Further, the present experimental simulations were applicable to characterize and predict wear of components in the application.

Components used in rock drilling and sheet metal forming operate under harsh contact conditions that result in an early-life component failure. Wear and fatigue are considered as the most common damage mechanism for these components. Commonly, the service life of a component is designed based on its fatigue life. However, wear might have a significant effect on the components life too. Wear results in a surface damage that in turn may cause a fatigue crack initiation. Therefore, knowledge about wear of materials and components is a key factor in design and prediction of the lifetime of the components. In order to predict wear of a certain component, a thorough understanding of the component with regards to its material properties, application loads and working environment, and damage mechanisms is required. The overall aim of the present work was to define the typical wear mechanisms occurred on machinery components used in rock drilling and sheet metal forming. A comparative analysis of the case studies and results from performed laboratory tests simulated wear mechanisms in the applications highlighted wear mechanisms and factors influencing severity of wear in the applications. Obtained information is crucial for ranking and selection of the best material in the applications.

In the present study, Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean cold work tool steel was investigated concerning wear resistance and fatigue strength, using laboratory and semi-industrial tests. The Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean was designed with the help of ThermoCalc calculations to contain a high amount of a carbonitride phase, which was suggested to improve tribological performance of this tool steel. In order to investigate the tested steel, galling tests with a slider-on flat-surface tribotester and semi-industrial punching tests were performed on an advanced high-strength steel, CP1180HD. Uddeholm Vanadis 8 SuperClean containing only a carbide phase and Uddeholm Vancron 40 containing a mixture of carbides and carbonitrides were also tested to compare the performance of the tool steels. The microstructure and wear mechanisms were characterized with scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the carbonitrides presented in Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean improved its resistance to material transfer and galling. Semi-industrial punching tests also confirmed that Uddeholm Vancron SuperClean cold work tool steel also possesses enhanced resistance to chipping and fatigue crack nucleation, which confirms the beneficial role of the carbonitride phase in wear resistance of cold work tool steel.

Rock drill components operate under tough contact conditions during rock drilling. Reciprocal and unidirectional motion under high contact stresses are the common contact conditions between interconnected components. It will result in component damage and often the observed surface damage of rock drill tools is due to wear and fatigue cracks. Nevertheless, the effects of the properties and structure of the mating materials on tribological performance, is not fully understood. The present study is dedicated to simulation and investigation of the wear mechanisms observed in reciprocal and unidirectional sliding of high strength steels for rock drill components. A high strength martensitic steel, 22NiCrMo12–F, commonly used in rock drills was tested in self-mating contact. Wear mechanisms were investigated by means of electron microscopy and wear damage was quantified by a 3D optical interferometer. Total damage, as a result of adhesive wear, severe plastic deformation and nucleation and propagation of fatigue cracks, was discussed in relation to test conditions and material properties. It was observed that the coefficient of friction decreased with increasing normal load. Moreover, the results showed that the type of motion had a significant influence on the worn volume and crack nucleation of the specimens in sliding contact. In addition, the reciprocal motion resulted in higher wear than unidirectional motion under the same test conditions.

Rock drill rod failure is a big concern for the mining industry. The tough conditions required to break down rock material into small pieces subject rock drill components to high mechanical stresses and corrosion that lead to the failure of the drill rods. This paper describes a detailed examination of rock drill rods failed during field operations. The drill rods were manufactured from a high strength, hardened and tempered steel 22NiCrMo12-5F, carburized for better surface performance. The examination was carried out by means of light optical microscopy and scanning electron microscope. Microhardness profiles were performed for the studied rods. The focus of the present case study was to characterize the failure mechanisms and surface damages of the failed drill rods. The examined drill rods failed due to the initiation and propagation of fatigue microcracks at the outer surface of the thread. Surface cracks propagated to a certain crack length until the fracture toughness of the drill rod was exceeded and the final failure occurred. Multiple short cracks were observed on the fracture surface of the failed rods. The observed cracks propagated perpendicularly to the impacting direction towards the inner surface of the rods. Two different crack initiation mechanisms were observed in the present study, crack initiation from pits and crack initiation from severe plastic surface deformation. Sliding and abrasive wear damage, severe plastic deformation and pitting corrosion were observed on the threaded portion of the rods. Sliding wear was the most common wear damage mechanism observed in the thread joint. Pitting corrosion and severe plastic deformation, made the worn surface susceptible to crack initiation.