Metal Science and Heat Treatment

The effect of friction treatment by a hard-alloy indenter on the microhardness and resistance to the heat-induced softening upon tempering of hardened medium-and high-carbon steels at 100–600°C is studied. The x-ray and electron microscopy methods are used to determine the causes of the increase in the heat resistance of the friction-strained steel surfaces. A comparative analysis of the effect of the hardening treatment by a hard-alloy indenter and by abrasive particles on the friction-induced heat resistance is performed for the case of high-speed friction treatment of a high-carbon laser-hardened steel.

The structural and phase state of the metal of a fractured rotor of a steam turbine is studied with the use of modern methods of physical research. The metal is shown to contain gradient structures. The cause of the failure of the rotor is established. The gradient structures are determined by the developed method of acoustic scanning.