Abstract
The grind-hardening process is capable of generating a martensitic-based hardened layer on the workpiece surface. The production of a hardened layer can significantly improve the application properties of the workpiece. In fact, theoretical research on the wear process of hardened layers is a powerful key to promoting the grind-hardening process, which is the main focus of the current experimental study. For this purpose, the paper carries out the grind-hardening experiment on AISI 1045 steel first by discovering the formation mechanism of the hardened layer. Then, friction and wear experiments are conducted on hardened workpieces to analyze the influence laws of different conditions on the friction coefficient and wear morphology, as well as its profile. On this basis, combined with the Archard wear model, finite element simulations are carried out on the wear process with different friction conditions. The wear depth is effectively predicted. The results show that the wear depth gradually rises with the increase in friction load and frequency. Additionally, considering different friction conditions, the errors between the predictive and experimental values of the wear depth with both average friction coefficient and variable friction coefficient are 4.36-15.22% and 1.57-10.4%, respectively, which validates theoretical research on the wear resistance of the hardened workpiece.