Influence of Manganese Content on Phase Formation and Wear Resistance in Precipitation-Forming Work-Hardening Steels

High-manganese steels combine excellent toughness with the ability to work harden under dynamic loading, making them attractive for wear-intensive applications. In addition to deformation-induced hardening, precipitation hardening by carbide-forming elements offers further potential for improving wear resistance. In this study, the influence of manganese content on phase formation, work-hardening behavior, and wear resistance was investigated in the steels X315Mn14V14 and X315Mn4V14.

Microstructural analysis revealed a predominantly austenitic structure in X315Mn14V14, whereas X315Mn4V14 formed a duplex microstructure consisting of austenite and ferrite. As a result, X315Mn4V14 exhibited a higher initial hardness and a more pronounced work-hardening response under dynamic loading conditions. Consequently, higher hardness levels were achieved during deformation, leading to improved wear resistance.

The superior tribological performance of X315Mn4V14 is attributed to the combined effect of vanadium carbide precipitation and enhanced work hardening associated with the duplex microstructure. The results demonstrate that manganese content strongly influences phase formation and, therefore, the balance between hardness, work-hardening capability, and wear resistance. These findings provide valuable insights for the development of precipitation-strengthened wear-resistant steels and future coating applications.