Sliding Wear Behavior of WP7V Tool Steel with Different Hardness Under Reciprocating Test Rig

This investigation presents the mechanical and tribological behaviors of DIN 1.2344 and WP7V tool steels, quenched in a salt bath after an austenitization of 1050 °C, followed by a triple tempering for 2 hours. Mechanical properties were evaluated using Rockwell C, Vickers, and nanoindentation, besides unnotched impact tests, according to the SEP 1314 guidelines. The wear tests were conducted in a tribometer configured for a reciprocating setup, with a frequency of 5 Hz, load of 25 N, and time of 60 minutes, at room temperature and 200 °C. As counterbodies, alumina balls of 5 mm in diameter were used. The wear tracks were evaluated through scanning electron microscopy, EDS, interferometry, and Raman spectroscopy. Friction and wear behaviors were affected by the variation in temperature testing for softer steels, the higher the temperature, the better the tribological performance. The harder steels were not sensitive to the temperature testing. These effects depend on maintaining iron oxide (hematite) at the contact.