Assessment of Wear Behavior on Treated AISI 630 Stainless Steel by Salt Bath Nitriding Process under Dry Sliding Conditions

Grade 630 martensitic precipitation hardening stainless steel has a combination of high hardness and strength after suitable heat treatment. The great advantage of this grade is that they are usually supplied in the condition treated with the solution and then aged to achieve a sufficient high strength. Chosen for this research work, AISI 630 stainless steel samples were subjected to salt bath nitriding process. Three samples were chosen in the shape of tapered cylindrical shapes with diameter of 10 mm and length of 40 mm. The specimens were subjected to 60 Minutes, 120 Minutes, 180 Minutes and named as SBN1, SBN2, SBN3 respectively. One untreated specimen is kept aside for the comparison purpose with the treated specimens. After the heat treatment process wear test were conducted by pin on disc wear test machine. Then the hardness test is carried out using the Rockwell hardness test. The microscopic images were taken using Scanning electron microscope. The results were compared and the best wear resistant material is chosen for the required application