Principle Universality of Obtaining Metastable Austenite in the Alloy and Cast Iron Structure to Increase the Abrasive Wear Resistance

In this paper, we demonstrate the principle universality of obtaining in the steel and cast iron structure, along with other constituents of residual metastable austenite undergoing dynamic deformation martensitic transformation or DDMT (self-hardening effect under loading or SHL) to increase their abrasive wear resistance. It was established that to provide increased resistance to abrasive wear, it is necessary, along with tempered martensite, lower bainite, and carbides, to obtain in the structure 20–40% of metastable austenite (35–42% in cast irons and 60–100% in manganese steels), a significant part of which transformed under abrasive action into deformation martensite. The wear resistance can be increased by 1.2–1.7 times. The practical significance of the proposed principle lies in the fact that it opens new possibilities in increasing the abrasive wear resistance of many steels and cast irons by obtaining metastable austenite in their structure at its optimal amount and stability. The principle can be implemented by various harden-ing heat treatment technologies used in the industry, the modes of which must ensure obtaining the appropriate structure, and not achieving the highest hardness, as is customary in many cases.