In the present study, the effect of different tempering temperatures in the range of 300°C to 700°C on the tribological properties of medium manganese Advanced High Strength Steels, which were previously processed using the Q&P (Quenching and Partitioning) process, was investigated. This process is a modern heat treatment method, the aim of which is to stabilize the residual austenite through the diffusion of carbon from martensite, thereby achieving an advantageous combination of strength, ductility and toughness. A dilatometric device DIL805/A was used to prepare and analyze the thermal cycles, which allowed for precise control of heating and cooling and at the same time recording dilatometric curves. These curves were subsequently evaluated in order to identify the transformation temperatures, as well as the dynamics of martensitic transformation and austenite stabilization during the Q&P process and tempering. After tempering, the samples were subjected to detailed microstructural analysis (light microscopy, SEM), hardness measurement (Vickers) and surface roughness evaluation using profilometry. Tribological properties were tested by scratch test in order to quantify the wear rate and the nature of surface damage. This work offers a comprehensive view of the relationships between Q&P heat treatment, tempering, microstructural changes and tribological behavior of medium manganese steel. The results contribute to the optimization of processing parameters for the effective use of this type of steel in demanding applications where high strength, wear resistance and stability of functional properties are required.

Acknowledgement: This publication was funded by the European Union NextGenerationEU from the financial resources of the Recovery and Resilience Plan of the Slovak Republic within the Project: A study on the change of Q&P parameters of advanced high-strength mid-manganese AHSS steels to enhance wear resistance, Code of the project: 09I03-03-V04-00220; Call for proposal: Scholarships for excellent researchers R2–R4, Code of the Call: 09I03-03-V04.