The influence of retained austenite in high chromium cast iron on impact-abrasive wear

Abstract The influence of retained austenite in high chromium cast iron on impact-abrasive wear resistance and its role in the abrasive wear process was investigated. It was shown experimentally that the greater the quantity of retained austenite in the microstructure, the higher the impact-abrasive wear resistance. The increase in abrasive wear resistance caused by retained austenite is related to the inhibition of the initiation and propagation of fatigue cracks and to the decrease in fatigue spalling during impact-abrasive wear.