Effect of autogenous GTAW on the reciprocating sliding wear behavior of a carbon martensitic steel

Martensitic steels have been successfully employed in resource-based industries where components must endure aggressive conditions. In industrial practice, many parts of these are joined by welding techniques. The aim this work was to understand the influence on wear resistance quenched and tempered carbon martensitic steel subjected dry linear reciprocating sliding micro-wear tests. Weld-joints were produced using autogenous Gas Tungsten Arc Welding process (GTAW). Micro-wear tests performed at base metal (BM), weld (WM), coarse grained heat affected zone (CG-HAZ) lowest hardness region (LHR-HAZ). LHR-HAZ softened during so plastic deformation facilitated, consequently adhesion, material displacement micro-ploughing. WM CG-HAZ presented a similar structure, which explain similarities found behavior. These regions worn volume average values (w). It interesting note that despite its highest microhardness value, w observed for BM. For some BM samples, debris had key role promoting loss micro-cutting causes great extent removal compared other mechanisms as micro-ploughing adhesion. Due action also dispersion results. results suggest welded joint strongly controlled mechanisms.