Investigation of the effects of hot dip aluminizingand diffusion annealingon microstructural and tribological properties of dual phase (DP800) steels

Abstract

In this study, the effects of hot dip aluminizing (HDA) (90 s at 725 degrees C) and diffusion annealing on the microstructural and tribological properties of DP800 steel were investigated. After HDA treatment, one of the sample was left to cool in air (HDA-1) and the other one left to cool in air after being subjected to a diffusion annealing for 1 hour in an oven set at 300 degrees C (HDA-2). Evolution in mechanical and tribological properties depending on the developments in the coating microstructure investigated in terms of hardness and wear behaviour, respectively. Mechanical characterization results show that diffusion annealing increases the hardness value of hot dip aluminized steel to 1100 HV values. Considering the wear ball volume and friction coefficients, the most advanced tribological properties were observed in the diffusion-annealed HDA process (HDA-2).