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Improve abrasive wear resistance on 17-4ph?

2007

Hello.

I have started my summer job and got a plate to improve life on.
It's gliding on an UHMWPE, plastic, rail and is getting worn by what I identify as three-body abrasion.
They are now using an 304 grade steel with a little cold work.
I am thinking of using a 17-4PH grade instead in H900 condition.
And I am wondering if I should do something with the surface.
It has to be relatively cheap.

Thanks for help.

Torkel Svensson
engineer - Halmstad, Halland, Sweden

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2007

3 body wear? Is there an external source of particles? Can they be excluded?

Possibilities:
Lubricate.

Hardening the surface may work. H900 17-4PH is significantly harder than mildly worked 304. But the new material may not be as resistant to corrosion and is also prone to stress corrosion in certain environments.

Or a surface treatment of the 304, for instance nitriding, might decrease the wear to an acceptable level.

Hope this is of some assistance.

Paul Tibbals, P.E.
gas & electric
San Ramon, California, USA
(My opinions are not related to nor a statement of my employer's)