416 ss rod is wearing prematurely

[nikinet]

i have an application where the rockwell on the 416ss shaft that i am using is failing as it rides through an oilite bronze bushing.
can i plate the 416 to bring the rockwell up?
i believe that the bushing manufacturer suggest 60 rockwell or above. any input would be appreciated including other possible materials.

 

[TVP]

Typical shaft applications use induction hardening to improve the surface hardness and then hard chromium plating for wear resistance. Type 416 stainless steel can be induction hardened, although 60 HRC would be excessive in my opinion. Do you know the current hardness of the shaft? Billions of shafts have used induction hardening to 45-55 HRC (~ 0.5-2 mm, depending on applied forces) and then plating with ~ 15-25 micrometers of hard chromium. Typical base material is SAE 1035 or 1045, not Type 416 SS. Why is SS used in your application?

 

[btrueblood]

Seems unlikely that an Oilite bushing could do much damage by itself to a 416 shaft, what temperature/environment is the bushing operating in? You mention "riding thru", do you mean the shaft slides relative to the bushing? Is there any protection (wiper seal) to keep dirt/dust/debris out of the bushing?