Enhancing steel properties with surface mechanical treatments

This research presents the modification of the microstructure on the surface of a dual phase steel (DP) using three different treatments: surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT), surface mechanical carburizing treatment (SMCT), and surface mechanical composite coating treatment (SMCCT). We used SMAT to refine the grain size under high strain and strain rate conditions and successfully induced a phase transformation to martensite. The introduction of carbon during SMAT resulted in surface mechano-chemical carburizing, which enhanced the martensite transformation. Furthermore, the addition of silicon during the process led to the formation of SiC and Fe₃C particles dispersed within the ferrite and martensite matrix, creating a surface nano-composite. Analysis using SEM and XRD revealed that the carbon and silicon-treated steel exhibited 41.4% martensite, 4.4% bainite, and 54.1% ferrite, indicating increased transformation by these elements. As a result, the alterations in the surface microstructure led to changes in the mechanical properties of the DP steel. Initially, the DP steel had Y.S. of 250 MPa and U.T.S. of 350 MPa. After SMAT treatment, its Y.S. and U.T.S. increased to 280 MPa and 380 MPa, respectively. The addition of carbon and silicon further enhanced the Y.S. and U.T.S. to 350 MPa and 450 MPa. A significant change in microhardness is achieved from 150HV_0.05 to 255HV_0.05 while after SMCT and SMCCT is 275HV_0.05. Despite an increase in surface roughness contributing to heighten friction, there was a significant reduction in wear. This phenomenon could be attributed to grain refinement, dislocation structures, and martensite phase transformations associated with surface hardening.