Microestrutura e propriedades tribológicas de aços austeníticos Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo sinterizados com adição de itria e boro

Abstract

Austenitic stainless steel materials are widely used in systems that require high oxidation resistance and corrosion resistance. However, in contact with other surfaces, these materials show a high coefficient of friction and a low wear resistance. An alternative to improve their tribological properties is the use of solid lubricants added in their composition by the powder metallurgy technique (P/M). Materials such as yttria and boron have shown an effective role in improving the mechanical and tribological properties of Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo alloys. In this context, this study aims evaluating the effect of boron and yttria additions on the microstructure and tribological properties of austenitic stainless steels Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo obtained by P/M. Samples were prepared with 0.6 wt% boron and 1wt% yttria, using compaction pressures of 400 MPa and 800 MPa, sintering temperature 1240°C and 1280°C, in argon atmosphere. The materials were characterized by chemical analysis (optical emission spectrometry), Vickers hardness and microstructural analysis (SEM and EDS). The coefficient of friction and the wear rate of the materials were obtained by means of reciprocating sliding tests. The wear mechanisms were evaluated by SEM and EDS. The results showed that the boron addition significantly increases the wear resistance of the material, due to the improved densification and the formation of hard phases (such as chromium-rich borides and molybdenum-rich borides) during sintering. However, even though with the increased hardness, the yttria addition decreases the wear resistance, due to the not favouring of the densification and the low interaction of yttria particles with the austenitic matrix. The coefficient of friction for all materials was about 0.8, i.e., and it was not influenced by the presence of additives in the composition. The predominant mechanisms on the worn surfaces of the materials were the adhesive wear and the tribochemical reaction wear (wear by particles oxidation).