Neste trabalho, foi investigado o efeito do tamanho do abrasivo e do pH do meio na resistência ao desgaste abrasivo do aço H-13 com matriz martensítica e do aço Hadfield com matriz austenítica. Ensaios de abrasão foram realizados utilizando o equipamento roda de borracha a úmido, variando o tamanho do abrasivo entre 0,15 e 2,40 mm e o pH do meio entre 5,5 e 12,8. As microestruturas dos materiais estudados foram analisadas utilizando microscopia óptica, as superfícies de desgaste e as partículas de desgaste foram analisadas em microscópio eletrônico de varredura. A macrodureza e a microdureza, antes e após os ensaios, foram obtidas utilizando durômetro Vickers. A topografia da região central da superfície de desgaste foi obtida utilizando Perfilometria 3D, visando obter valores de profundidade de penetração do abrasivo. Os resultados mostraram que o aço Hadfield é mais resistente do que o aço H-13 em todos os valores de pH e tamanhos de abrasivo utilizados. Para os dois materiais, a perda de massa aumenta linearmente até um tamanho crítico de abrasivo (TCA) e, após este, a mesma continua a aumentar, mas com uma intensidade menor. Para os dois materiais e para todos os tamanhos de abrasivo, o aumento do pH do meio resultou em menores perdas de massa, sendo este efeito maior para os dois menores tamanhos de abrasivo. Para maiores valores de pH, foram observadas menores profundidades de penetração do abrasivo. A microdureza da superfície de desgaste do aço H-13 sofreu um pequeno aumento com o aumento do tamanho do abrasivo enquanto que para o aço Hadfield esse aumento foi mais intenso. A análise das partículas de desgaste mostraram que, para todas as condições ensaiadas, os debris do aço H-13 tinham duas morfologias, contínuas e descontínuas enquanto que os cavacos do aço Hadfield foram sempre descontínuos. Para os dois materiais, foram observados dois micromecanismos de desgaste, sendo eles microcorte e microsulcamento. Por fim, os resultados apresentados neste trabalho sugerem que a análise de desempenho do aço Hadfield em serviço deve considerar o pH do meio bem como a granulometria do abrasivo em contato. / In this work, the effects of abrasive particle size and pH value of the aqueous solution on abrasive wear resistance of the H-13 steel with martensitic matrix and the Hadfield steel with austenitic matrix were investigated. Abrasive wear tests, using a wet rubber wheel abrasion tester, were carried out using abrasive sizes between 0.15 and 2.40 mm and pH values of the aqueous solution between 5.5 and 12.8. The microstructures of the materials studied were analyzed by optical microscopy and the wear surfaces and wear particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The hardness and microhardness before and after the tests were measured using a Vickers hardness tester. The topography of the middle of wear scars, were obtained by a noncontact 3D profiler in order to measure the depth of abrasive penetrations.The results show that the Hadfield steel is more wear resistant than the H-13 steel at all pH values and abrasive sizes conditions tested. For both materials, mass loss increases linearly up to a critical abrasive size, and after this the mass loss continues to increase, but with a lower intensity. Moreover, for both materials and all the abrasive sizes, increases in the pH values of the aqueous solution resulted in lower mass losses, and this effect is greater for the two smaller grain sizes. For higher pH values, lower depths of penetration of abrasive were observed. The microhardness in the wear scar surface of the H-13 steel presented a slight increase with the abrasive size, while for the Hadfield steel, this microhardness increases in a more intense form with the abrasive size. The analysis of the wear particles showed that, for all test conditions, the chips of H-13 steel has two types of morphologies, continuous or discontinuous, and for Hadfield steel only discontinuous. For both materials, two abrasive wear micromechanisms were observed, microcutting and microploughing. Finally, the results presented in this work suggest that the wear performance analysis of the Hadfield steel, to be used in an abrasive environment, must consider the effects of pH of the aqueous solution and particle size.

Neste trabalho, foi investigado o efeito do tamanho do abrasivo e do pH do meio na resistência ao desgaste abrasivo do aço H-13 com matriz martensítica e do aço Hadfield com matriz austenítica. Ensaios de abrasão foram realizados utilizando o equipamento roda de borracha a úmido, variando o tamanho do abrasivo entre 0,15 e 2,40 mm e o pH do meio entre 5,5 e 12,8. As microestruturas dos materiais estudados foram analisadas utilizando microscopia óptica, as superfícies de desgaste e as partículas de desgaste foram analisadas em microscópio eletrônico de varredura. A macrodureza e a microdureza, antes e após os ensaios, foram obtidas utilizando durômetro Vickers. A topografia da região central da superfície de desgaste foi obtida utilizando Perfilometria 3D, visando obter valores de profundidade de penetração do abrasivo. Os resultados mostraram que o aço Hadfield é mais resistente do que o aço H-13 em todos os valores de pH e tamanhos de abrasivo utilizados. Para os dois materiais, a perda de massa aumenta linearmente até um tamanho crítico de abrasivo (TCA) e, após este, a mesma continua a aumentar, mas com uma intensidade menor. Para os dois materiais e para todos os tamanhos de abrasivo, o aumento do pH do meio resultou em menores perdas de massa, sendo este efeito maior para os dois menores tamanhos de abrasivo. Para maiores valores de pH, foram observadas menores profundidades de penetração do abrasivo. A microdureza da superfície de desgaste do aço H-13 sofreu um pequeno aumento com o aumento do tamanho do abrasivo enquanto que para o aço Hadfield esse aumento foi mais intenso. A análise das partículas de desgaste mostraram que, para todas as condições ensaiadas, os debris do aço H-13 tinham duas morfologias, contínuas e descontínuas enquanto que os cavacos do aço Hadfield foram sempre descontínuos. Para os dois materiais, foram observados dois micromecanismos de desgaste, sendo eles microcorte e microsulcamento. Por fim, os resultados apresentados neste trabalho sugerem que a análise de desempenho do aço Hadfield em serviço deve considerar o pH do meio bem como a granulometria do abrasivo em contato. / In this work, the effects of abrasive particle size and pH value of the aqueous solution on abrasive wear resistance of the H-13 steel with martensitic matrix and the Hadfield steel with austenitic matrix were investigated. Abrasive wear tests, using a wet rubber wheel abrasion tester, were carried out using abrasive sizes between 0.15 and 2.40 mm and pH values of the aqueous solution between 5.5 and 12.8. The microstructures of the materials studied were analyzed by optical microscopy and the wear surfaces and wear particles were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. The hardness and microhardness before and after the tests were measured using a Vickers hardness tester. The topography of the middle of wear scars, were obtained by a noncontact 3D profiler in order to measure the depth of abrasive penetrations.The results show that the Hadfield steel is more wear resistant than the H-13 steel at all pH values and abrasive sizes conditions tested. For both materials, mass loss increases linearly up to a critical abrasive size, and after this the mass loss continues to increase, but with a lower intensity. Moreover, for both materials and all the abrasive sizes, increases in the pH values of the aqueous solution resulted in lower mass losses, and this effect is greater for the two smaller grain sizes. For higher pH values, lower depths of penetration of abrasive were observed. The microhardness in the wear scar surface of the H-13 steel presented a slight increase with the abrasive size, while for the Hadfield steel, this microhardness increases in a more intense form with the abrasive size. The analysis of the wear particles showed that, for all test conditions, the chips of H-13 steel has two types of morphologies, continuous or discontinuous, and for Hadfield steel only discontinuous. For both materials, two abrasive wear micromechanisms were observed, microcutting and microploughing. Finally, the results presented in this work suggest that the wear performance analysis of the Hadfield steel, to be used in an abrasive environment, must consider the effects of pH of the aqueous solution and particle size.

The exceptional wear resistance and work hardenability, place Hadfield steel as one of themost important materials for manufacturing cast components used in the mining, crashing,drilling, and excavation industries. In all metallic alloys used for component casting, themechanical properties are highly influenced by the microstructure of the material. Castcomponents with finer microstructural characteristics are known to present bettermechanical properties and reduced risk of defects when compared with components witha coarser microstructure. A reduced grain size in Hadfield steel can increase the strengthof the material up to 30% and reduce the risk of porosity formation during solidification.The practice of adding selected compounds or alloying elements in a metal melt to modifyand refine the microstructure is called inoculation. It is currently one of the trendingmethods utilized in light-metal alloys and cast-iron components production but has not,yet, gained adequate acceptance in the steel casting industry because researchers have notbeen able to find proper inoculants.The main objective of this work is to investigate the qualitative and quantitativecharacteristics of the by-products of deoxidation of Hadfield steel that remain in thematerial after solidification and their positive or negative effect on the coarseness of thefinal as-cast microstructure. This type of research can help to identify the type of particlesor alloying elements that are most effective for refining the microstructure of austeniticsteels and pave the way for developing new or improving conventional deoxidation andinoculation processes that will, in turn, result in the improvement of the properties of thecomponent.The precipitation of particles and the as-cast grain size are studied in aluminum andtitanium deoxidized Hadfield steel samples acquired under pilot scale experimentalconditions. In the first part of this work, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics ofparticles such as type, morphology, composition amount and size are identified. Thesequence of precipitation is established. A model for predicting particle size and growth isdeveloped. The experimental results are compared against thermodynamic equilibriumcalculations and the precipitation mechanisms for each type of particles are described. Inthe second part, the as-cast grain size of samples with varying deoxidation treatments ismeasured. Then, the grain-size is correlated with certain particle characteristic and theparticles are ranked according to their ability to refine the microstructure. The particledisregistry with austenite is calculated and compared to the experimentally acquiredranking. / Hadfieldstålen exceptionella slitstyrkan och deformationshårdnande har gjort dessa till ettav de viktigaste materialen för tillverkning av gjutna komponenter som används inomgruv-, kross-, borr-och gruvindustrin. I alla metallegeringar som används för tillverkningav gjutna komponenter styrs de mekaniska egenskaperna av materialets mikrostruktur.Gjutna komponenter med fin mikrostruktur presentera bättre mekaniska egenskaper ochminskad risk för defekter jämfört med komponenter med grov mikrostruktur. En minskadkornstorlek i Hadfieldstål kan öka materialets hållfasthet upp till 30% och minska riskenför porositetsbildning vid stelning.Tillsatsning av spårämnen eller legeringselement i en metallsmälta för att modifiera ochförbättra mikrostrukturen kallas ympning. Denna metod används i lättmetaller och vidtillverkning av gjutjärnskomponenter, men har ännu inte fått acceptans i stålindustrineftersom forskningen inte har funnit effektiva kärnbildare att användas som ympmedel.Huvudsyftet med detta arbete är att undersöka kvalitativa och kvantitativa egenskaper hosde desoxideringsprodukter som skapas under tillverkningen av Hadfield stål och hur deunder och efter stelning påverkar mikrostrukturens grovlek. Arbetet syftar till att identifierapartikeltyper och legeringselement som är effektiva för att förfina den austenitiskamikrostrukturen och bana väg för utveckling nya och förbättra desoxiderings- ochympningsprocesser som i sin tur kommer att resultera i en förbättring av den gjutnakomponentens egenskaper.Partiklarnas utskiljning och materialet resulterande kornstorlek studerades i aluminiumochtitan-desoxidiserade Hadfieldstål, tillverkade i pilotskala. Den första delen av dettaarbete var att identifiera kvalitativa och kvantitativa egenskaper hosdesoxidationspartiklar, som typ, morfologi, sammansättning och storlek.Utskiljningssekvensen fastställdes. En modell för att förutsäga partikelstorlek och derastillväxt utvecklades. De experimentella resultaten jämfördes med termodynamiskajämviktberäkningar och utskiljningen för varje typ av partikel beskrevs. I den andra delenstuderades kornstorleken och hur denna varierade desoxideringsbehandlingen. Därefterkorrelerades kornstorleken med partikeltyp och dess karaktäristika och rangordnades efterderas förmåga att förfina mikrostrukturen. Partiklarnas kristallografiska missanpassningmot austenitens kristallstruktur beräknades och jämfördes med experimentellt fastställdarangordningen. / InDeGrainS I

In this study, by considering different mechanical properties such as wear resistance and toughness of two different metal alloys in design and production stages, bi-metal casting technique was used for producing composite material which will be a solution for the cracking and wear problem in coal crushing hammer heads. The failure analysis of the classical hammer heads which are made from Hadfield steels (austenitic steel) showed that there are crack formations through austenitic grains and also the phase transformation from austenite to martensite is not completed until the material consumed its life. Thermal analysis is the basic technique in this study to determine the solidification conditions. By using thermocouples with a suitable set-up, the cooling curves of the materials which were used in bi-metal casting had been taken and analysed. By using these cooling curve data with a written software program which is based on Newton Thermal Analysis, the solid fraction values by time and by temperate were obtained. According to these values, the interface was investigated by changing experimental conditions and solid fractions. At the last part of the study, a new approach was tried in white cast iron production.

Submitted by Fabio Sobreira Campos da Costa (fabio.sobreira@ufpe.br) on 2017-04-27T15:18:52Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Marcelo Oliveira.pdf: 7846435 bytes, checksum: 4659cf7d50095ccabdf49ebcc00f0bba (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-04-27T15:18:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 1232 bytes, checksum: 66e71c371cc565284e70f40736c94386 (MD5) Marcelo Oliveira.pdf: 7846435 bytes, checksum: 4659cf7d50095ccabdf49ebcc00f0bba (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-08-31 / A presente pesquisa teve como objetivo, investigar o efeito do teor de carbono e do tamanho do abrasivo na resistência ao desgaste e no fenômeno de encruamento superficial de quatro aços Hadfield. Para esse estudo, foi montado, o equipamento pino contra disco, e, como abrasivo utilizou-se lixas de ferro, com o tamanho médio entre 36 µm e 93 µm. Para o alcance do objetivo proposto foram delimitados materiais e métodos, a saber: (a) montagem do abrasômetro pino-disco a partir de um dispositivo desativado disponibilizado pelo LFS-USP; (b) confrontar resultados experimentais – dois materiais (Aço 1045 e alumínio 6351) foram submetidos a ensaios realizados na UFPE e USP para fins de estudos comparativos; (c) avaliação da influência de parâmetros do ensaio – três abrasivos com diferentes tamanhos de partículas e diferentes cargas foram submetidos e avaliados mediante o desgaste abrasivo; (d) avaliação do comportamento de diferentes composições do aço Hadfield perante ensaios de abrasividade – aços contendo quatro diferentes teores de carbono foram submetidos a ensaios com lixas #220 e #320; (e) análise das superfícies desgastadas – após os ensaios dos materiais, as superfícies foram realizadas análises por microscópio eletrônico de varredura (MEV) das superfícies desgastadas. Os resultados obtidos com o equipamento na metodologia empregada tiveram uma boa reprodutibilidade. Foram observadas diferenças nos resultados entre os equipamentos da UFPE e da USP. Quanto a este tópico, o desgaste abrasivo do aço Hadfield foi influenciado pelo teor de carbono apresentando uma relação em que maiores teores demonstraram menor efeito de desgaste, diferentes tamanhos de abrasivo ocasionam um efeito de encruamento significativo, onde se observou o ganho de dureza em aços com menores teores de carbono. Contudo, foi apresentada uma oscilação do efeito no abrasivo #320. As micrografias revelaram microssulcos e microcortes provenientes do ensaio e não foram observadas diferenças nas marcas de desgaste quando utilizados tamanhos diferentes de partícula abrasiva. Ao final, chegou-se a conclusão de que os resultados obtidos demonstram que o teor de carbono influência na resistência ao desgaste do aço e consequentemente no encruamento superficial do aço. Observa-se também a influência do tamanho do abrasivo e carga aplicada o ensaio. / This research aimed to investigate the effect of the carbon content and the size of the abrasive in the wear resistance and surface hardening phenomenon four Hadfield steel. For this study , has been assembled , the disc against pin device and abrasive was used iron sandpapers, with average size between 36 m and 93 micrometers. To achieve the proposed objectives were defined materials and methods, namely: (a) mounting the pindisk abrasômetro from a disabled device provided by the LFS-USP; (b) comparing experimental results - two materials (1045 steel and aluminum 6351) were submitted to tests performed at university and USP for purposes of comparative studies; (c) evaluation of the influence of the test parameters - Three abrasive particles with different sizes and different loads were submitted and evaluated by the abrasive wear; (d) assessment of the behavior of different steel compositions Hadfield before abrasiveness tests - steels containing four different carbon contents were subjected to tests with sandpaper # 220 and # 320; (e) analysis of the worn surfaces - after the tests of materials different analyzes were performed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) of worn surfaces. The results obtained with the equipment in the methodology employed had good reproducibility. There were differences in results between the equipment and the UFPE USP. On this topic, the abrasive wear Hadfield steel was influenced by carbon having a relationship in which higher levels showed less wear effect, different abrasive sizes cause a significant strain hardening effect, which was observed gain hardness steel with lower carbon content. However, an oscillation of the abrasive effect on the # 320 was presented. The micrographs revealed microssulcos and microcuts from test and differences were observed in wear marks when using different sizes of abrasive particle. In the end, came to the conclusion that the results show that the influence of carbon content in the wear resistance of steel and consequently the surface of the steel hardening. It is also observed the influence of abrasive size and load applied to the test.

Hadfield steel is a material used in different industrial application, when a good resistance to severe impact loads and abrasion is expected. Its high ductility, high toughness, good work hardening capacity and high fatigue resistance make it especially suitable for theses conditions. But in order to reach those high mechanical properties, Hadfield steel must undergo a heat treatment. This step is considered as a crucial, because the as cast material contains different types of carbides, some beneficial, and some detrimental to the mechanical properties. Therefore, there is a strong interest in understanding the effect of HT parameters on the properties of Hadfield Steel. The goal of the project is to study the HT and quenching parameters used for the manufacturing of Hadfield steel, such as HT temperatures, holding time and quenching media. The microstructure such as: grain size and grain boundaries will be analyzed using an optical microscope (OM) and a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) before and after HT and quenching. A hardness tester will be used to measure the impact of the HT on the mechanical properties.

Este trabalho consiste no estudo das propriedades mecânicas de tração e impacto do aço Hadfield refinado com Hf em relação ao aço Hadfield sem refino. Foram realizadas simulações no software Thermo-Calc para caracterizar o caminho de solidificação e a evolução microestrutural do aço Hadfield (composição química de 13% de Mn, 1,2% de C e 0,65% de Si). Foram fundidos os corpos de prova de aço Hadfield sem refino e refinado pela adição de Hf, ambos com a composição química de acordo com a norma ASTM A128 - grau B2. Os corpos de prova foram submetidos ao tratamento térmico de solubilização à temperatura de 1120oC por 10 horas. A caracterização macroestrutural mostrou que o aço Hadfield com adição de Hf apresenta tamanho do grão austenítico cinco vezes menor (600 µm) do que o aço Hadfield sem refino (de 3000 µm para 600 µm), sendo que este resultado foi confirmado pela técnica de EBSD (Electron backscatter diffraction). Os resultados do ensaio de tração dos corpos de prova para as duas condições mostraram que as propriedades de limite de escoamento (6%), tenacidade (88%), resistência à tração (37%), e do coeficiente de encruamento (30%) do aço Hadfield refinado aumentaram em relação ao aço Hadfield sem refino. A energia absorvida no impacto aumentou de 156 J/cm2 para 179 J/cm2 com o refino do tamanho de grão austenítico. A lei de Hall-Petch foi utilizada para explicar o efeito do refino de grão no limite de escoamento, mas não pode ser usada para explicar o aumento na resistência a tração, tenacidade, e as mudanças no coeficiente de encruamento. A caracterização microestrutural das amostras rompidas em tração e impacto mostrou que a fração de maclas aumentou em 46% (em tração) e 45% (no impacto) para o aço Hadfield refinado em comparação com o aço Hadfield sem refino. Os resultados da caracterização microestrutural dos corpos de prova rompidos no ensaio de tração e impacto indicam que o mecanismo de deformação plástica por maclação foi mais atuante com o refino do grão austenítico. / The tensile and impact properties of Hf-refined Hadfield steel were compared to the properties of non-refined Hadfield steel. Simulations in Thermo-Calc software were made in order to study the solidification and microstructural evolution of a Hadfield steel (13% Mn, 1.2% C and 0.65% Si). Samples of non-refined and refined Hadfield steel (with addition of 0.1% of H), both with chemical composition as described in ASTM A128- grade B2, were cast and subjected to a solution heat treatment at 1100oC for 10 hours, followed by water quenching. Macrostructural characterization showed that the refined Hadfield steel featured an austenitic grain size equal to 600 ?m, five times smaller than the grain size of the non-refined Hadfield steel (3000 µm). These results were confirmed by EBSD (Electron backscatter diffraction) analysis. The tensile test results showed an increase in the values of the yield stress (6%), the fracture toughness (88%), the tensile strength (37%) and the strain hardening coefficient (30%) with the reduction on the austenitic grain size from 3000 µm to 600 µm. Additionally, the value of the absorbed energy of the impact test was improved from 156 J/cm2 to 179J/cm2 with reduction on the grain size. The Hall-Petch law was used to explain the small increase of 8% in the value of the yield stress with the grain refinement, but this law could not be used to explain the increase in the values of the fracture toughness, the tensile strength and the strain hardening coefficient. The microstructural characterization of the fractured test-pieces after tensile and impact testing showed that the values of the fraction of mechanical twins (definer) in the plastically deformed microstructure near the fracture surfaces of the refined condition increased by 45% when compared to the non-refined condition. These results indicated that the austenitic grain refinement of the Hadfield steel changed the plastic deformation mechanism, favoring the activation of the plastic deformation by twinning mechanism and, therefore, increasing the values of the fracture toughness (~88%), the ultimate tensile strength (~30%), the strain-hardening coefficient (~30%) and the absorbed energy during Charpy-test (~15%).

Este trabalho consiste no estudo das propriedades mecânicas de tração e impacto do aço Hadfield refinado com Hf em relação ao aço Hadfield sem refino. Foram realizadas simulações no software Thermo-Calc para caracterizar o caminho de solidificação e a evolução microestrutural do aço Hadfield (composição química de 13% de Mn, 1,2% de C e 0,65% de Si). Foram fundidos os corpos de prova de aço Hadfield sem refino e refinado pela adição de Hf, ambos com a composição química de acordo com a norma ASTM A128 - grau B2. Os corpos de prova foram submetidos ao tratamento térmico de solubilização à temperatura de 1120oC por 10 horas. A caracterização macroestrutural mostrou que o aço Hadfield com adição de Hf apresenta tamanho do grão austenítico cinco vezes menor (600 µm) do que o aço Hadfield sem refino (de 3000 µm para 600 µm), sendo que este resultado foi confirmado pela técnica de EBSD (Electron backscatter diffraction). Os resultados do ensaio de tração dos corpos de prova para as duas condições mostraram que as propriedades de limite de escoamento (6%), tenacidade (88%), resistência à tração (37%), e do coeficiente de encruamento (30%) do aço Hadfield refinado aumentaram em relação ao aço Hadfield sem refino. A energia absorvida no impacto aumentou de 156 J/cm2 para 179 J/cm2 com o refino do tamanho de grão austenítico. A lei de Hall-Petch foi utilizada para explicar o efeito do refino de grão no limite de escoamento, mas não pode ser usada para explicar o aumento na resistência a tração, tenacidade, e as mudanças no coeficiente de encruamento. A caracterização microestrutural das amostras rompidas em tração e impacto mostrou que a fração de maclas aumentou em 46% (em tração) e 45% (no impacto) para o aço Hadfield refinado em comparação com o aço Hadfield sem refino. Os resultados da caracterização microestrutural dos corpos de prova rompidos no ensaio de tração e impacto indicam que o mecanismo de deformação plástica por maclação foi mais atuante com o refino do grão austenítico. / The tensile and impact properties of Hf-refined Hadfield steel were compared to the properties of non-refined Hadfield steel. Simulations in Thermo-Calc software were made in order to study the solidification and microstructural evolution of a Hadfield steel (13% Mn, 1.2% C and 0.65% Si). Samples of non-refined and refined Hadfield steel (with addition of 0.1% of H), both with chemical composition as described in ASTM A128- grade B2, were cast and subjected to a solution heat treatment at 1100oC for 10 hours, followed by water quenching. Macrostructural characterization showed that the refined Hadfield steel featured an austenitic grain size equal to 600 ?m, five times smaller than the grain size of the non-refined Hadfield steel (3000 µm). These results were confirmed by EBSD (Electron backscatter diffraction) analysis. The tensile test results showed an increase in the values of the yield stress (6%), the fracture toughness (88%), the tensile strength (37%) and the strain hardening coefficient (30%) with the reduction on the austenitic grain size from 3000 µm to 600 µm. Additionally, the value of the absorbed energy of the impact test was improved from 156 J/cm2 to 179J/cm2 with reduction on the grain size. The Hall-Petch law was used to explain the small increase of 8% in the value of the yield stress with the grain refinement, but this law could not be used to explain the increase in the values of the fracture toughness, the tensile strength and the strain hardening coefficient. The microstructural characterization of the fractured test-pieces after tensile and impact testing showed that the values of the fraction of mechanical twins (definer) in the plastically deformed microstructure near the fracture surfaces of the refined condition increased by 45% when compared to the non-refined condition. These results indicated that the austenitic grain refinement of the Hadfield steel changed the plastic deformation mechanism, favoring the activation of the plastic deformation by twinning mechanism and, therefore, increasing the values of the fracture toughness (~88%), the ultimate tensile strength (~30%), the strain-hardening coefficient (~30%) and the absorbed energy during Charpy-test (~15%).

The high alloyed austenitic manganese steel, the Hadfield steel, thanks to its good wear resistance of the work surface and maintaining the high toughness of the internal material in the same time, is successfully applied for casted crossings. The crossings are the most dynamic stressed components in the railway turnouts. Thanks to low surface and sub-surface hardness the occurrence of plastic deformation and the progressive wear of the crossing running surfaces can be found since the initial stages of the crossing operational life. One possibility how to increase the surface and the sub-surface hardness and this way improve the dimensional stability and the crossing lifetime as well is to apply the explosive hardening of the crossing running surfaces. The technology mentioned above means the application of the explosives in the imminent nearness to the running surface of the crossing, when the high pressure wave acting within the extremely short period actuates the plastic deformation of the material structure. The work deals with analysis of influence of explosive hardening on the structure and characteristic of Hadfield steel. The explosive hardened samples have the surface and the sub-surface hardness checked and the microscopic analysis and X – ray diffraction is applied, including the TEM analysis as well carried out by the transmission electronic microscope. The characteristics experimental testing including outcomes from assessment of the contact – fatigue load of the explosive hardened Hadfield steel samples are the part of the work as well. As an experiment final part the outcomes of the long –term validation, the surface hardness and wear of the crossing running surfaces of the explosive hardened crossing already installed into the Czech Republic railway track are introduced as well.