This project is supported by CTI and the company UMV Vallorbe, which is a leader in file manufacturing. The aim is to understand the link between the microstructure of martensitic carbon steels determined by specific thermal treatments and the wear resistance of files. We have determined that the mechanical properties of steel are mostly controlled by the content of carbon in the martensite interacting with dislocations. Moreover, three independent methods of carbon content assessment are developed: x-ray diffraction, internal friction at room temperature and thermoelectric power. We aim now at optimizing the thermal treatment process in order to achieve best mechanical properties.
PhD thesis:
I. Tkalcec, PhD Thesis n. 3089 (2004)
R. Martin, PhD Thesis n. 4374 (2009)
Publications(2000-2009)
Martin R, Mari D, Schaller R, Influence of the carbon content on dislocation relaxation in martensitic steels. Materials Science and Engineering: A. 2009; 521-522, 117-120
Martin R, Tkalcec I, Mari D, Schaller R, Tempering effects on three martensitic carbon steels studied by mechanical spectroscopy. Phil. Mag. 2008; 88, 2907 – 2920.
I. Tkalcec and D. Mari, Internal friction in martensitic, ferritic and bainitic carbon steel; cold work effects, Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 370, 213-217 (2004).
I. Tkalcec, C. Azcoıtia, S. Crevoiserat and D.Mari, Tempering effects on a martensitic high carbon steel Mater. Sci. Eng. A, 387-389, 352-356 (2004).
