Need advice on using 41l40 @50RC for cam lock use

[lrvmech]

I have a cam lock latch mechanism using two fabricated pieces of 41L40 heat treated to 50RC. They are wearing very hard on each other, actually grinding each other down. I'm not really familiar with this material and don't know if this should be happening. I was told by the vender these parts would stand up to wear better than the originals which were of unknown steel but with a Rockwell "C" hardness of 25. Any info would be helpful.

 

[Hydroformer]

If the two bearing surfaces are of identical material and hardness, that could be the trouble right there. Similar materials will try to cold weld or friction weld.

One element should be 'hard' and the other 'tough and wear-resistant'. The less service-able of the two should be 'hard'. Even 'case-hard' is good.

regards,

Hydroformer

 

[Carburize]

Surface treatment using a nitriding based process like QPQ could help by increasing the surface hardness and reducing the friction. Nitriding operations are carried out around 900F so the part may not retain the 50Rc core hardness but the hard surface layer will more than compensate.