Analysing the Microstructures and Pin-on-Disc Wear Properties of 1010 Steel-Based and B4C-Added Materials Produced through Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

The present study makes use of two distinct production methods. The first method involves producing 1010 steel-based materials containing SiC, MgO, H3BO3, and B4C (wt%10 - wt%30) with varying weights through powder metallurgy. This step was followed by hot pressing. In the second group, after all the chemicals were stirred, 20 ml of epoxy and epoxy hardener were added to the mixture. Then, the mixture was set aside to harden. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses were conducted on the mixture to observe the morphological impacts. Furthermore, friction coefficient values of the materials were also identified following wear tests under varying weights. The XRD analyses revealed the phase structures of Fe3C, SiC, MgO, H3BO3, B4C, and Fe2O3. As for the SEM-EDS analyses, they concluded the surface appearance of S60 and S55B20, the hot-pressed materials, dependent on liquid phase sintering. SEM of epoxy- based S60E20 and S55B20E20 revealed white spherical structures and a flat matrix structure with shallow surface holes. In the pin-on-disc wear experiment, the friction coefficient value was reduced with the addition of SiC, MgO, and H3BO3 (S60) to 1010 steel (S100). By adding various amounts of B4C, the friction coefficient was reduced even further, resulting in the improvement of wear properties.