Impact of Deep Cryogenic Treatment on X210CrW12 Steel's Wear Behavior and Microstructural Characteristics

In this work, the microstructure, hardness, tensile and yield strength, and wear resistance of X210CrW12 steel are examined in relation to the impacts of deep cryogenic treatment. In order to achieve this, deep cryogenic treatment at -180 °C was applied to X210CrW12 steel samples for 12, 18, 24, and 36 h following quenching. Following the cryogenic treatments, a tempering heat treatment was applied to the samples at 300 °C for two hours. Experimental results showed that deep cryogenic treatment significantly improved the mechanical properties of X210CrW12 steel. The best mechanical properties were obtained after applying deep cryogenic treatment for 24 and 36 h. The cryogenic treatment showed the most dominant effect on wear resistance. As a result of the wear tests performed with the pin-on-disk method, it was determined that the wear rate of the sample subjected to cryogenic treatment for 36 h was 59.37% less than that of the conventionally hardened sample. The deep cryogenic treatment applied for 36 h provided the highest hardness increase of 12.06%. Compared to the conventionally hardened sample, the tensile and yield strength in the steel subjected to deep cryogenic treatment for 24 h is up to 11.02% and 11.35% higher. As a result of microstructural analysis, it was determined that it provides cryogenic new carbide precipitation, increases carbide density, and provides a more homogeneous carbide distribution.