journal article·2026-01-23Open access

Microstructural evolution and dry sliding wear behavior of composite shear flow casting M50 steel under different tempering conditions

Lingtong Zhang, Xuanrui Zhang, Yunhao Liang, Li Wang, Qichun Sun, Yanlin Wang, Xiaohua Zhou, Jun Zhao, Zidong Wang

Abstract

Abstract The mechanical properties of M50 steel, which is widely used in aerospace engine bearings, are significantly influenced by its heat treatment process. This study systematically investigates the effects of tempering at different temperatures (450 °C, 480 °C, 510 °C, 540 °C, 570 °C, and 600 °C) on the microstructural evolution and dry sliding wear behavior of Composite Shear Flow Casting (CSFC) M50 steel. The microstructures under various heat treatment conditions were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that, with increasing tempering temperature, both the average friction coefficient and wear volume of CSFC-M50 steel initially decrease and then increase. The optimal tribological performance is achieved at 510 °C, with an average friction coefficient of 0.555 and a wear volume of 3.17 × 10 7 μm 3 . This trend is attributed to the differing temperature sensitivities of carbide precipitation, which slows down, and carbide coarsening, which accelerates. During the wear process, a dense Cr-rich oxides film forms on the surface via oxidation, acting as a self-lubricating layer that reduces wear and enhances surface resistance. The dominant wear mechanisms include oxidative wear, abrasive wear, and adhesive wear.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Erosion and Abrasive Machining · Aluminum Alloys Composites Properties · Metal Alloys Wear and Properties

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing , Beijing , 100083 , China

State Key Laboratory of Advanced Casting Technologies , Shenyang 110022 , China

Institute of Materials Science and Engineering, Clausthal University of Technology , Agricolastrasse 6, D-38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld , Germany

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China · The Open Research Fund of National Key Laboratory of Advanced Casting Technologies · The Key Research and Development Program of Shandong Province

References (43)

Show source-provided references
1. Song, C, Hu, S, Han, Q, Han, X, Xie, L, Zhuang, W, et al.. Ultrastrong gradient nanostructured CSS-42L bearing steel and its enhanced wear resistance at elevated temperature. Surf Coating Technol 2023;470:129881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2023.129881.10.1016/j.surfcoat.2023.129881 ↗
2. Lorenz, SJ, Sadeghi, F, Trivedi, HK, Kirsch, MS. Investigation into rolling contact fatigue performance of aerospace bearing steels. Int J Fatig 2023;172:107646. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2023.107646.10.1016/j.ijfatigue.2023.107646 ↗
3. Li, C, Chen, Z, Han, X, Liu, Z, Chen, X. Analysis method of micro stress sensitivity of aviation bearing based on Voronoi model. Eng Fract Mech 2022;264:108322. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2022.108322.10.1016/j.engfracmech.2022.108322 ↗
4. Guo, Q, Wang, J, Yuan, W, Chi, B, Han, K, Yue, Q. Wear characteristics evolution of helical gear with initial defects of bearing inner ring. Eng Fail Anal 2024;165:108774. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2024.108774.10.1016/j.engfailanal.2024.108774 ↗
5. Guo, Q, Liu, H, Sun, C, Cao, Y, Lu, X, Du, Y, et al.. Dual-gradient structure enhances wear resistance of aero-engine bearing steel by suppressing strain localization. Acta Mater 2025;289:120919. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2025.120919.10.1016/j.actamat.2025.120919 ↗
6. Wang, Q, Wang, S, Zhang, L, Li, Y, Jia, C, Wu, T. Mechanism-guided wear severity assessment of worn surfaces with multiple damages. Wear 2025;571:205875. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2025.205875.10.1016/j.wear.2025.205875 ↗
7. Wang, S, Hu, K, Xia, L, Wu, T, Xu, N. Prior-shape-guided photometric stereo model for 3D damage measurement of worn surfaces. Tribol Int 2025;201:110219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2024.110219.10.1016/j.triboint.2024.110219 ↗
8. Santos, NDSA, Roso, VR, Faria, MTC. Review of engine journal bearing tribology in start-stop applications. Eng Fail Anal 2020;108:104344. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.104344.10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.104344 ↗
9. Wei, W, Ke, J, Liu, Z, Liu, G, Liu, Q, Qian, D, et al.. Understanding the microstructural evolution and fretting wear behaviors of M50 bearing steel heat treated at different temperatures. J Mater Res Technol 2023;27:6661–71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.11.104.10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.11.104 ↗
10. Morshed-Behbahani, K, Aliyu, A, Bishop, DP, Nasiri, A. Additive manufacturing of copper-based alloys for high-temperature aerospace applications: a review. Mater Today Commun 2024;38:108395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.108395.10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.108395 ↗
11. Lin, H, Yang, M, Shu, B. Fretting wear behaviour of high-nitrogen stainless bearing steel under lubrication condition. J Iron Steel Res Int 2020;27:849–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42243-020-00414-z.10.1007/s42243-020-00414-z ↗
12. Wang, F, Qian, D, Hua, L, Xie, L. Tempering response and improved mechanical properties in secondary hardened steel by introducing an optimized austempering process. Mater Sci Eng A 2021;807:140895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2021.140895.10.1016/j.msea.2021.140895 ↗
13. Yu, XF, Wei, YH, Zheng, DY, Shen, XY, Su, Y, Xia, YZ, et al.. Effect of nano-bainite microstructure and residual stress on friction properties of M50 bearing steel. Tribol Int 2022;165:107285. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2021.107285.10.1016/j.triboint.2021.107285 ↗
14. Dong, Z, Wang, F, Qian, D, Yin, F, Wang, H, Wang, X, et al.. Enhanced wear resistance of the ultrastrong ultrasonic shot-peened M50 bearing steel with gradient nanograins. Metals 2022;12:424. https://doi.org/10.3390/met12030424.10.3390/met12030424 ↗
15. Qian, D, Wang, R, Dong, Z, Wang, F. Microstructure evolution and wear resistance improvement of ultrasonic peened M50 steel via electromagnetic shocking. Steel Res Int 2023;94:2300067. https://doi.org/10.1002/srin.202300067.10.1002/srin.202300067 ↗
16. Yang, S, Zhang, M, Yu, P, Sun, Y, Su, Y, Yu, X. Effect of laser shock peening overlap rate on microstructure and wear resistance of M50 steel. Opt Laser Technol 2025;184:112548. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2025.112548.10.1016/j.optlastec.2025.112548 ↗
17. Yin, F, Han, P, Han, Q, Wang, H, Hua, L, Cheng, GJ. Ultrastrong gradient M50 bearing steel with lath-shape nano-martensite by ultrasonic shot peening and its enhanced wear resistance at elevated temperature. Mater Des 2024;239:112786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matdes.2024.112786.10.1016/j.matdes.2024.112786 ↗
18. Yue, X, Hu, S, Yin, F, Wang, J. Understanding the wear behavior and mechanism of gradient nanostructured M50 bearing steel through nanoscratching tests. Mater Today Commun 2024;39:109235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.109235.10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.109235 ↗
19. Cao, Z, Cui, L, Luo, S, Song, J, Su, H, Pang, Z, et al.. Insights into room- and elevated-temperature micro-mechanisms of laser shock peened M50 steel with superior tribological performance. J Mater Sci Technol 2025;205:270–85. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmst.2024.04.039.10.1016/j.jmst.2024.04.039 ↗
20. Yue, X, Wang, F, Yin, F, Hua, L, Wang, J. Understanding the thermal stability and friction behavior of ultrasonic shot peening-introduced gradient nanostructured M50 bearing steel. Surf Coating Technol 2024;482:130725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfcoat.2024.130725.10.1016/j.surfcoat.2024.130725 ↗
21. Zhang, P, Deng, Q, Fu, Z, Shen, Z, Li, X, Sun, D, et al.. Effect of temperature on the fretting and sliding wear behaviors of M50 bearing steel. Tribol Int 2024;198:109909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2024.109909.10.1016/j.triboint.2024.109909 ↗
22. Wang, Y, Zhang, B, Liang, Y, He, Y, Zhao, J, Zhou, X, et al.. Achieving highly homogenous large-size 2.3 GPa ultra-high strength steel by composite shear flow casting: numerical simulation and experiment. Mater Lett 2025;386:138190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2025.138190.10.1016/j.matlet.2025.138190 ↗
23. Xu, L, Chen, L, Sun, W. Effects of soaking and tempering temperature on microstructure and mechanical properties of 65Si2MnWE spring steel. Vacuum 2018;154:322–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vacuum.2018.05.029.10.1016/j.vacuum.2018.05.029 ↗
24. Jardin, RT, Tchoufang Tchuindjang, J, Duchêne, L, Tran, H-S, Hashemi, N, Carrus, R, et al.. Thermal histories and microstructures in direct energy deposition of a high speed steel thick deposit. Mater Lett 2019;236:42–5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2018.09.157.10.1016/j.matlet.2018.09.157 ↗
25. Niu, G, Ding, C, Liu, Z, Jia, X, Chen, H, Gong, N, et al.. Achieving high strength and high ductility of dual-phase steel via alternating lamellar microstructure. Mater Sci Eng: A 2024;892:146072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2024.146072.10.1016/j.msea.2024.146072 ↗
26. Kundu, A, Field, DP. Influence of plastic deformation heterogeneity on development of geometrically necessary dislocation density in dual phase steel. Mater Sci Eng: A 2016;667:435–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2016.05.022.10.1016/j.msea.2016.05.022 ↗
27. Conde, FF, Ribamar, GG, Escobar, JD, Jardini, AL, Oliveira, MF, Oliveira, JP, et al.. EBSD-Data analysis of an additive manufactured maraging 300 steel submitted to different tempering and aging treatments. Mater Char 2023;203:113064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2023.113064.10.1016/j.matchar.2023.113064 ↗
28. Wei, Y, Yu, X, Hao, T, Yang, S, Su, Y, Zhao, W. Effect of the surface carbon content on microstructure and deformation of M50 steel. J Mater Eng Perform 2024;33:7990–7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11665-023-08496-y.10.1007/s11665-023-08496-y ↗
29. Wu, YX, Sun, WW, Styles, MJ, Arlazarov, A, Hutchinson, CR. Cementite coarsening during the tempering of Fe-C-Mn martensite. Acta Mater 2018;159:209–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actamat.2018.08.023.10.1016/j.actamat.2018.08.023 ↗
30. Wei, C, Lei, Z, Du, S, Chen, R, Yin, Y, Niu, C, et al.. Microstructures and mechanical properties of al-zn-mg-cu alloys under multi-directional severe strain and aging. Materials 2023;16:4441. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16124441.10.3390/ma16124441 ↗
31. Yu, XF, Zheng, DY, Yang, XF, Wang, SY, An, M, Yan, GB, et al.. Effect of carbide precipitation behavior at high temperatures on microstructure and mechanical properties of M50 steel. J Mater Res Technol 2022;18:1155–65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.03.021.10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.03.021 ↗
32. Tahaei, A, Aghajani, A, Ghadami, F, Sánchez, EG. Long-term creep mechanism of tempered martensite ferritic steel: effect of precipitation. Eng Fail Anal 2026;184:110300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfailanal.2025.110300.10.1016/j.engfailanal.2025.110300 ↗
33. Farfan-Cabrera, LI, Erdemir, A, Cao-Romero-Gallegos, JA, Alam, I, Lee, S. Electrification effects on dry and lubricated sliding wear of bearing steel interfaces. Wear 2023;516–517:204592. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2022.204592.10.1016/j.wear.2022.204592 ↗
34. Zhu, D, He, X, Zhong, L, Wang, G, Wei, G, Pang, G, et al.. Effect of laser shock peening on tribological properties of 55SiMoVA bearing steel. Opt Laser Technol 2025;181:111704. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.optlastec.2024.111704.10.1016/j.optlastec.2024.111704 ↗
35. Du, N, Liu, H, Cao, Y, Fu, P, Sun, C, Liu, H, et al.. In situ investigation of the fracture of primary carbides and its mechanism in M50 steel. Mater Char 2022;186:111822. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2022.111822.10.1016/j.matchar.2022.111822 ↗
36. Decaudin, B, Djega-Mariadassou, C, Cizeron, G. Structural study of M50 steel carbides. J Alloys Compd 1995;226:208–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/0925-8388(95)01616-3.10.1016/0925-8388(95)01616-3 ↗
37. Guan, J, Wang, L, Zhang, Z, Shi, X, Ma, X. Fatigue crack nucleation and propagation at clustered metallic carbides in M50 bearing steel. Tribol Int 2018;119:165–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.triboint.2017.10.016.10.1016/j.triboint.2017.10.016 ↗
38. Zhang, J, Zhang, S, Sun, Y, Gao, X, Zhang, L. Effects of V/Cr on the nucleation and transformation of Mo-containing carbides on Fe matrix in M50 bearing steel. Surf Interfaces 2024;44:103727. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.surfin.2023.103727.10.1016/j.surfin.2023.103727 ↗
39. Su, Y, Li, PF, Wang, SY, Yang, S, Wu, JD, Yu, XF, et al.. Influence of vacuum graded austempering treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties of M50 steel. J Mater Res Technol 2022;21:2721–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.10.091.10.1016/j.jmrt.2022.10.091 ↗
40. Wei, YH, Yu, XF, Su, Y, Shen, XY, Xia, YZ, Yang, WW. Effect of residual stress and microstructure evolution on size stability of M50 bearing steel. J Mater Res Technol 2021;10:651–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.12.060.10.1016/j.jmrt.2020.12.060 ↗
41. Chen, Y, Ping, D, Wang, Y, Zhao, X. An atomic mechanism for the formation of nanotwins in high carbon martensite. J Alloys Compd 2018;767:68–72. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.07.099.10.1016/j.jallcom.2018.07.099 ↗
42. Fang, Y, Zhang, Y, Song, J, Fan, H, Hu, L. Influence of structural parameters on the tribological properties of Al2O3/Mo laminated nanocomposites. Wear 2014;320:152–60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wear.2014.09.003.10.1016/j.wear.2014.09.003 ↗
43. He, T, Liu, Z, Li, L, Xiong, Y, Du, S, Zhang, Y. Effect of supersonic fine particle bombardment on microstructure evolution and tribological properties of GCr15SiMn bearing steel. J Mater Res Technol 2024;28:1111–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.12.087.10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.12.087 ↗