Effect of heating-assisted ultrasonic surface rolling on the microstructure evolution and wear behavior of martensitic steel

In this study, a plastic deformation layer and a nano-gradient structure were prepared on the surface of high-strength martensitic steel using the Heating-Assisted Ultrasonic Surface Rolling (HUSR) technique. The microstructure, texture evolution, and wear performance of the plastic deformation layer were characterized and analyzed using techniques such as Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The influence of HUSR treatment on the friction and wear behavior of martensitic steel was discussed. The results indicate significant changes in the texture components, dislocation structures, and grain distribution in the plastic deformation layer prepared by HUSR. The predominant textures in the plastic deformation layer are Rotated Cube {001}<110>, Cube {001}<100>, F {111}<112>, and E {111}<110>. HUSR treatment induces the formation of abundant deformation twins and stacking faults (SF) on the surface of sample. This ultimately results in a 28.3 % increase in the surface hardness of the HUSR sample and the introduction of residual compressive stress of −746.2 MPa. The friction coefficient and wear volume of the HUSR sample are significantly reduced. After HUSR treatment, the martensitic steel exhibits excellent wear resistance.