Effect of deep sub-zero treatment on the wear behavior of CPPU steel at different temperatures

In recent years, many studies have been carried out on the effect of sub-zero treatments on the tribological properties of steels. However, in friction tests performed at different temperatures, the effect of the deep sub-zero treatment is uncertain. This study, it was aimed to increase the wear resistance of CPPU steel at different temperatures (room temperature and 150 °C) with deep subzero process treatment (−150 °C). Friction wear tests were carried out on a pin-on-disc vertical tester according to ASTM standard G99-05. Field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were used for worn surface analyses. In tests performed at 150 °C, the friction coefficient was reduced by 110.33% and the wear resistance was increased by 101.66% with the sub-zero treatment compared to the conventional heat treatment. The deep sub-zero treatment reduced the adhesive wear.