Improvement of the wear resistance of EN8 steel by application of alternating magnetic field treatment

In the present paper, the tribological properties of untreated and magnetically treated EN8 medium-carbon steel were studied. Tribological tests were performed using a pin-on-disc friction and wear tester. The alternating magnetic field treatment has led to a reduction in the coefficient of friction by 18% and of the wear rate by 41% and to decreases in the surface roughness and the wear scar width by 30% and 12% respectively. Examination by means of transmission electron microscopy attributed these results to increased dislocation mobility and migration to the surface as a result of alternating magnetic field treatment leading to an increase in the Vickers microhardness and to an increase in compressive residual stresses at the surface.•The application of an alternating magnetic field led to improved wear resistance of EN8 steel.•TEM showed increased dislocation mobility resulting in higher compressive residual stresses and in increase in hardness.•Mechanisms leading to the increased dislocation mobility and to the improved WR are proposed and discussed