Effect of solution treatment and aging on the tribological properties of K444 alloy in a wide temperature range

Abstract

Abstract: The tribological properties and wear mechanisms of K444 alloy after heat treatment were investigated using Si₃N₄ balls as the counterface material over a wide temperature range (RT-800 ℃). The research results showed that the heat treatment process induces the dissolution of the γ′-strengthening phase and the precipitation of the η phase, increasing the hardness of the material from 41.8 HRC in the as-cast state to 45.4 HRC in the aged state. From room temperature to 600 ℃, the wear rate of K444 alloy remains at a low level, on the order of 10^－6 mm³·m^－1 ·N^－1 . After solution aging treatment, the wear rate of the alloy is significantly reduced, which is attributed to the re-solution of the γ' strengthening phase and the precipitation of fine and uniform η phase during cooling, significantly improving the wear resistance of the alloy. Microscopic characterization confirms that the in-situ formed dense Cr₂O₃ oxide film during friction is the core mechanism for improving wear resistance. When the temperature rises to 800 ℃, the tribological properties of K444 alloy deteriorate significantly, and thewear rates of both the as-cast and heat-treated alloys increase to the order of 10^－5 mm³·m^－1·N^－1, with the oxidation wear mechanism becoming dominant due to the failure of the dynamic balance of the oxide layer.

Key words: solution treatment, aging treatment, friction and wear, wide temperature range, K444

CLC Number:

TG132
TG156

XIAO Rong-zhen, CHEN Yang-yang, CHEN Han-feng, WANG Jiang, LIU Jun-zhao. Effect of solution treatment and aging on the tribological properties of K444 alloy in a wide temperature range[J]. Journal of Lanzhou University of Technology, 2026, 52(2): 8-15.

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URL: https://journal.lut.edu.cn/EN/

https://journal.lut.edu.cn/EN/Y2026/V52/I2/8

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