Heat Treatment Optimization and Corrosion-Wear Mechanism of Sn-Microalloyed Low-Alloy Wear-Resistant Steel for Archery Training Robot

Hongxing Liu, Yufang Wei and Shaoyong Yang

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64486/m.66.1.12
Online publication date: July 9, 2026

Abstract: Low-alloy wear-resistant steel is critical for mechanical transmission components serving under reciprocating friction and corrosive environments. To meet the service requirements of core transmission components of archery training robots, two Sn-microalloyed low-alloy wear-resistant steels (0.04 wt.% and 0.20 wt.% Sn) were designed based on commercial NM450 steel in this work. The effects of Sn on the continuous cooling transformation, microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, and corrosion-wear performance of the steels were systematically investigated, and the optimal heat treatment process was determined. The results show that both steels have a critical cooling rate of 20 °C/s for full martensitic structure with excellent hardenability. The optimized heat treatment enables a well-balanced strength, hardness and toughness of the steels. The 0.20 wt.% Sn steel exhibits significantly improved corrosion resistance and corrosion-wear performance, which is attributed to Sn-induced formation of dense and stable rust layer that inhibits corrosion-wear synergy. This study provides theoretical and data support for composition design and heat treatment optimization of low-alloy wear-resistant steel for archery training robots.

Keywords: archery training robot; low-alloy wear-resistant steel; Sn microalloying; heat treatment; corrosion-wear

This article is published online first and will appear in Metalurgija, Vol. 66, Issue 1 (2027).