Session: 03-09-01: Materials for Extreme Environments

Paper Number: 161073

161073 - Oxidation Revolution: Unveiling the Inverse Wear Phenomenon in Cu-Modified Steels 

The wear behaviour of two Cu-modified low carbon steels (LCu: 0.6 wt.% Cu and HCu: 1.1 wt.% Cu) under varying normal loading (10-50N), are examined after austenitizing at 920°C, followed by ice water quenching. These quenched structures are predominantly martensitic with minute traces of bainite and ferrite. The variation in load, and hardness results in variation of contact temperature between the asperities of counter-disc and pin specimen, consequently altering the nature of oxides evolved during dry sliding wear. The HCu martensitic structures, with thin (~1µm), uniform Fe₃O₄ layers that exhibit inherent self-lubricating properties, adaptability to morphological irregularities, and an adherent nature, at a load of 50N, resulting in the lowest specific wear rate (SWR, 1.61×10^-6mm³m^-1N^-1). In contrast, in the LCu specimens, the formation of thicker (5-6µm) and brittle FeO layers at lower load (10N) promote three-body wear, leading to the highest SWR (3.09×10^-5mm³m^-1N^-1). There is a change in wear mechanism from dimniated by cutting and ploughing to oxidative wera when load increases from 10 N to 50 N. At higher load along with localized praecipitation, the disaaperance of lath structure is also observed, indicating the significant temperature rise due to frictional heating. The transitions in wear mechanisms are examined through detailed microstructural characterization of the worn surfaces and sub-surfaces.

Presenting Author: Kapil Dev Sharma Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee

Presenting Author Biography: I have dedicated the past more than 5 years to studying and researching various aspects of mechanical metallurgy. Currently, I am planning to defend my Ph.D. in “Role of Cu precipitation on the mechanical response of quenched and tempered (Q&T) steels” from the Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee, India. Throughout my academic journey, I have developed a deep understanding of the fundamental principles of structure-property correlation, including simulation of various microstructural changes occurring during processing, and failure analysis. I have experience in the field of characterization, structure-property correlation and mechanical behavior of alloys. In my professional career, I have gained experience in characterization with APT, HR-TEM, SEM, EBSD, XRD, EDM, DSC, Optical profilometry, Hardness, UTM, Tribometer, forging press, Rolling mill, and Twinjet electropolisher. I have experience in working with software tools such as Thermo-Calc, MatCalc, TSL-OIM, Gwyddion, Gatan digital micrograph, X-pert high score, eSpot, ImageJ, MS Office, and Origin 9. I have successfully guided two intern students. After MTech., I worked as Assistant Prof. for a year, where, my responsibilities were to take classes, tutorials, labs and conducting exams.
I am always open to learn new things. Currently I am exploring machine learning techniques using various libraries of Python. I am always ready to take new challenges to learn new things. I am very much interested in additive manufacturing also due to its competitive advantages over the currents manufacturing and processing techniques.