Yin Qing,Liu Jiajun,Shi Zhiyue,et al.Effect of High-Energy Electrical Pulse Treatment on the Microstructure and Properties of GCr15 Bearing Steel[J].Special Steel,2026,47(02):129-133.
Yin Qing,Liu Jiajun,Shi Zhiyue,et al.Effect of High-Energy Electrical Pulse Treatment on the Microstructure and Properties of GCr15 Bearing Steel[J].Special Steel,2026,47(02):129-133. DOI: 10.20057/j.1003-8620.N250599.
Effect of High-Energy Electrical Pulse Treatment on the Microstructure and Properties of GCr15 Bearing Steel
GCr15 bearing steel is the most widely used material for bearing components due to its high strength and hardness. The efficient and convenient preparation of refined and homogenized matrix microstructures has always been a research hotspot for GCr15 bearing steel. In this study, a high-frequency, high-energy electrical pulse technology was used instead of the traditional solid solution process to achieve flash austenitization of GCr15 bearing steel, followed by oil cooling. The mechanical properties and microstructure were characterized and analyzed. The results show that the combined effect of Joule heating and the electron wind effect generated by the electrical pulse current leads to the rapid austenite transformation and carbide dissolution of the material. The hardness, tensile strength and elongation of the sample were 62.3 HRC, 2 356 MPa and 2.5% after the electric pulse heat austenitizing treatment of "voltage 50V - frequency 500Hz - pulse width 50 μs" for 300 seconds. These mechanical properties are superior to those achieved by the conventional heat treatment process. The average carbide size of the samples is 0.46 μm, and the matrix microstructure is uniform, fine, and dispersedly distributed. The research provides an experimental and theoretical basis for the development of new heat treatment processes and microstructure control for bearing steels.
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