Introduction

Wear properties of various types of steel have long been employed as a critical mechanical property in tribo-system technical design, a variety of engineering applications, and lifespan prediction1. However, defining the wear properties for various types of steel is difficult because they are dependent on a variety of elements such as contact type as well as kinetic and environmental factors. Nonetheless, a number of studies1,2,3,4 have investigated the effects of running velocity speed, contact force as well as temperature on the wear behavior of diverse industrial materials and their applications in tribo-system construction. This could be owing to the fact that each of these important components has its own set of wear curves, at the very least, accurately reflecting the material’s wear behavior. However, even though this is significant in real tribo-systems. So, these typical wear curves do not reveal the influence of a shift in sliding conditions, like sliding speed or load, on material wear behavior. Typically for wear testing, process variables are applied pressure, running velocity, and time. Under dry sliding conditions, Narayanan et al.5 evaluated the effect of process variables (load, velocity, and distance) on the wear behavior of Ti–3Al–2.5V alloy. They found that these factors make significant contributions to wear properties.

Design of experiments (DOE) methods for example factorial design (FD), response surface methodology (RSM), as well as Taguchi methods, are now commonly utilized instead of the time-consuming and expensive one-factor-at-a-time experimental approach. RSM was employed to improve the wear results. This method involves employing modeling approaches to determine the link between input and outcome variables for experiments. To do so effectively, you’ll need a mathematical model that can anticipate the response output based on the influences of many process variables, especially when assessing material properties. DOE, analysis of variance (ANOVA), as well as regression analysis, can all be put used to predict mechanical and tribological features6.

Sliding is a powerful tool to investigate the machining process for high-performance devices. Scratching at a nanoscale depth of cut is normally performed at μm/s or mm/s, which is three to six orders of magnitude lower than those used in pragmatic machining processes. A novel method of single grain sliding was conducted on a developed grinder, which was carried out at 40.2 m/s and nanoscale depth of cut7 Force, stress, depth of cut, and size of plastic deformation are calculated. This method opens a new pathway to investigate the fundamental mechanism of abrasive machining, such as cutting, grinding and polishing, etc.8,9. In addition, a novel model for the maximum undeformed chip thickness is proposed, which is in good agreement with those experimental results10. Under the breakthrough of theories, novel machining methods and tools are developed11. These studies are a great contribution to the tribological field and manufacturing industry8.

RSM is a powerful tool (statistical and mathematical model) that may be used to construct an empirical equation for predicting wear and better understanding wear behavior in terms of pressure, velocity, and time of applied factors. RSM has become a widespread practice in engineering challenges as well as it was extensively employed in the characterization of problems where input factor affects some performance of output factors. RSM gives quantitative measures of potential factor interactions that are difficult to achieve with other optimization techniques. When dealing with multi-variable responses, RSM is the proper approach to use. The number of trials needed to respond to a model is greatly reduced using this strategy. The authors looked into using RSM to improve process characteristics12,13.

Kumar et al.14 investigated the influence of load, sliding distance, and velocity size range of reinforcement on wear behavior of Al–Si–Mg alloy. They observed that wear rate was found to decrease and then increase with increasing wt.% of reinforcement and wear rate was found to increase with increase in the sliding distance but wear rate was found to decrease with increase in sliding velocity. They developed RSM model to forecast wear rate of Al–Si–Mg alloy reinforced with B4C/Al2O3. Elshaer et al.15 and Rajmohan et al.16 observed that wear rate increases with increasing load. Rajmohan et al.16 employed ANOVA to investigate the wear behavior of composites and discovered that load is a key determinant in composite wear. Soumaya et al.17 studied the effect of load (P) and linear sliding speed (V) on wear behavior and friction coefficient of 13Cr5Ni2Mo steel. They developed a mathematical model that allowed them to predict the wear behavior based on test parameters (P and V). Also, Narayanan5 investigated the influence of process factors on wear loss using RSM—based mathematical models. They used ANOVA to analyze optimal combination of process parameters that minimize the wear loss is determined. They indicated that among all three factors, the most important aspect influencing the alloy’s dry sliding wear behavior is the normal load. Furthermore, as the usual load and sliding velocity rise, the alloy’s wear rate increases. Elshaer et al.18 investigated the surface texture of Carbon Steel Machine Elements using Abbott Firestone curve.

A statistical tool can be used to predict wear rate values using RSM, and it can also be used to predict the best parameter values to achieve a minimum wear rate, within the given range of experimental parameter values. The current study goal is to create models for predicting wear rate and Abbott Firestone zones (high peaks, exploitation, and voids) as a function of key wear variables (pressure and velocity). The influences of input factors (applied pressure and running velocity) on wear rate and Abbott Firestone zones after hot-rolled and QAMf were put to the test in order to evaluate the DOE-based central composite design (CCD) technique. Quadratic RSM-based predictive models of wear rate as well as Abbott Firestone zones were created and then tested using experimental data.

Experimental works

Materials and sample preparation

The low carbon steel (0.16C–0.27Si–1.47Mn–0.02Al), for short 0.16C, used in this study was hot-rolled at 1200 °C (after heating for 30 min) followed by air cooling. The heat treatment process was quenched after martensite finish temperature (QAMf) was applied to hot-rolled samples19. Wear testing was carried out using pin-on-disk tribometer testing machine under dry state at ambient temperature. Three samples were applied on each condition and the mean was taken. Wear samples having a cylindrical shape of 5 mm diameter and 10 mm length were fixed against high-speed steel (disk wear tool) with surface hardness of 64 HRC. Before each test, desk surface was ground and cleaned with different emery papers up to 1000 grit size. Different running velocities of 1.5, 2.25, and 3 m/s were used with an applied constant pressure of 0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 MPa for 15 min. The sample’s weight was measured before and after the wear testing by electronic scale with 0.1 mg accuracy. The test results were evaluated according to the loss in weight. Worn surfaces of wear tested samples were examined using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and micrographs were analyzed using MATLAB software. By using statistical analysis and Excel software, the final Abbott Firestone curve graphic was created.

Statistical analysis using RSM

The data obtained (wear rate and worn surface micrographs) from the wear tests were evaluated using Design Expert V13, Response Surface Methodology (RSM) is used in Design of Experiments/statistical analysis software. A collection of mathematical as well as statistical methodologies are referred to as RSM for modeling and evaluating problems in which the goal is to optimize a response that is influenced by multiple variables. So, it is an excellent approach for assessing industrial challenges. Four models have been created, one for wear rate and three for Abbott Firestone curve zones (high peaks, voids, and exploitation). In the RSM, the response and input variables are correlated as follows:

$$\text{Y }=\text{ f }\left(\text{A},\text{ B}\right),$$
(1)

where Y is the desired response, f is the response function, A is the applied pressure and B is the running velocity.

The researchers utilized a polynomial design of experiments of type Pn, where “n” represents the number of variables (pressure and velocity) and P represents the number of levels (− 1, 0, + 1). As a result, for each condition, the minimum number of trial tests to be completed is 32 = 9. In this study, the experiment included 13 runs with three levels and two variables using the Experimental Central Composite Design (Table 1). Zero value indicates average value, + 1 indicates maximum limit while—− 1 indicates minimum limit of parameters. To create a mathematical model, the second-order polynomial regression (quadratic, modified) equation was used with two parameters and can be calculated using the formula below.

$$\text{R }={\text{b}}_{0}+ {\text{b}}_{1}\text{A }+ {\text{b}}_{2}\text{B }+ {\text{b}}_{3}\text{AB }+ {\text{b}}_{4}{\text{A}}^{2} + {\text{b}}_{5}{\text{B}}^{2} + {\text{b}}_{6}{\text{A}}^{2}\text{B }+ {\text{b}}_{7}{\text{AB}}^{2} ,$$
(2)

where R is response (estimated), b0 is responses average or intercept coefficient, and b1, b2……b7 are response coefficients, A is pressure and B is velocity.

Table 1 Experimental central composite design (CCD).

Results and discussion

Mathematical modeling for wear rate

Wear results

Figures 1 and 2 indicate a relationship between elapsed time (during wear testing) in minutes and weight loss in mg at different pressure in MPa and various velocities in m/sec. It seems clear that increasing elapsed time of experimental wear increases the weight loss of metal. Hot-rolled samples, Fig. 1, have the highest weight loss at both maximum pressure (2.5 MPa) and velocity (3 m/s). However, the lowest weight loss was at both medium pressure (1.5 MPa) and velocity (1.5 m/s). On the other hand, after heat-treated samples, Fig. 2, the highest weight loss at medium pressure (1.5 MPa) and highest velocity (3 m/s). However, the lowest weight loss at the smallest pressure (0.5 MPa) and medium velocity (2.25 m/s).

Figure 1
figure 1

Variation of weight loss with different sliding speeds of 0.16C hot rolled steel.

Figure 2
figure 2

Variation of weight loss with different sliding speeds of 0.16C QAMf steel.

It is very difficult to differentiate between pressure and/or velocity effect on wear rate using Figs. 1 and 2. Therefore, it is very so essential to study both parameters (pressure and velocity) on wear behavior and to construct a mathematical model expressing wear rate versus pressure and velocity. To demonstrate wear rate behavior due to pressure and velocity, CCD was adopted. Tables 2 and 3 show different limits of two parameters (pressure and velocity), and the corresponding wear rate (response 1).

Table 2 Experimental CCD showing wear rate of 0.16C hot rolled steel.
Table 3 Experimental CCD showing wear rate of 0.16C QAMf steel.

Statistical analysis of wear rate

The influence of pressure and velocity on the wear rate of 0.16C steel (hot rolled and QAMf) is studied in this section. RSM was utilized to perform the analysis and construct wear rate models of 0.16C steel. After proceeding with several trials using Design-Expert software, quadratic models were proposed based on the statistical evaluation of several models, as shown in Tables 4 and 5. The best model is the modified quadratic one which gives a high adjusted correlation factor. Furthermore, the software found that the cubic model was aliased for data ranges acquired. For the wear rate of hot-rolled and QAMf steels, the modified quadratic model (suggested model) was adapted where R-squared values of 0.8723 and 0.9496, respectively. However, adjusted R-squared values of 0.7810 and 0.9135, respectively.

Table 4 Model summary statistics of wear rate for hot rolled steel.
Table 5 Model summary statistics of wear rate for QAMf steel.

ANOVA of wear rate

ANOVA is a statistical design tool for separating individual effects of the variables under control. The interpretation of the experimental results is carried out by analysis of average and ANOVA. It’s usually done with experimental data to find statistically significant control factors. The effects of applied pressure (P) and running velocity (T) on the wear rate of 0.16C hot rolled and QAMf steels were statistically analyzed using DOE software with a response surface approach and an empirical wear rate model was created based on these effects. The regression model’s significance was tested using the sequential F-test. Tables 6 and 7 show the ANOVA generated model of wear rate. The model’s importance is confirmed by its F-values of 294.64 for hot rolled and 192.52 for QAMf. The “P > F” values for the models (hot rolling and QAMf) are less than 0.05, indicating that they are significant. This is desirable since it demonstrates that the model parameters have a considerable impact on the response (wear rate). Significant model terms include A, B, AB, A2, B2, A2B, and AB2. The model terms aren’t important if the value exceeds 0.1. The model terms that aren’t important can be deleted, perhaps improving the model.

Table 6 ANOVA results of quadratic model (wear rate is response) for hot rolled steel.
Table 7 ANOVA results of quadratic model (wear rate is response) for QAMf steel.

The predicted R2 values of 0.719 for hot rolled and 0.5705 for QAMf, as shown in Tables 6 and 7, are not as close to the adjusted R2 values of 0.9942 for hot rolled and 0.9911 for QAMf, indicating a difference of over 0.2. This could be a sign of a significant block effect or a problem with your model and/or data. The Adeq Precision was 51.332 for hot rolled and 50.781 for QAMf, indicating that the model can navigate the design space, as a ratio larger than 4 is ideal. The R2 values of 0.9976 for hot rolled and 0.9963 for QAMf indicate that the variability of responses was 99.76 and 99.63%, respectively, around the mean, demonstrating that the model fit the data well. The model’s lack of fits is negligible, this demonstrates that the proposed model fits well Among the parameter ranges studied, wear rate, as a result, can be determined by the final empirical Eqs. (3) and (4) in terms of actual factors, pressure (P), velocity (V) their multiplication products.

$$\text{Wear rate }\left(\text{hot rolled}\right)= 4.89469 - 4.54609 \times \text{ P }- 3.59650 \times \text{ V }+ 2.41000 \times \text{ P }\times \text{ V }+ 1.27670 \times {\text{P}}^{2} + 0.755241 \times {\text{V}}^{2} - 0.408333 \times {\text{P}}^{2} \times \text{ V }- 0.313333\text{ P }\times {\text{V}}^{2},$$
(3)
$$\frac{1}{\text{Wear rate}}\left({\text{QAM}}_{\text{f}}\right)= -15.59265 - 1.47991 \times \text{ P }+ 23.05962 \times \text{ V }- 6.39556 \times \text{ P }\times \text{ V }+ 2.61189 \times {\text{P}}^{2} - 5.26701 \times {\text{V}}^{2} - 0.334062 \times {\text{P}}^{2} \times \text{ V }+ 1.62954 \times \text{ P }\times {\text{V}}^{2}.$$
(4)

Wear rate graphs

To follow the exact behavior of wear rate, 3D surface and contour map should be constructed using empirical equation. Figure 3 is 3D surface relationship showing the maximum wear rate at high pressure and low velocity for hot rolled and QAMf samples. On the other hand, wear rate is minimum and constant at high velocity even with changing high pressure. To predict the different values of wear rate it is very useful contour map as seen in Fig. 4. For hot-rolled samples, at pressure of 1.25 MPa, increasing velocity gradually increases wear rate, while at low velocity (beyond 1.25 MPa) increasing pressure gradually increases wear rate. On the other hand, at high pressure (beyond 2 MPa) increasing velocity exhibits a constant wear rate. For, QAMf, at low pressure till 1 MPa, increasing velocity gradually increases wear rate, while at constant velocity with increasing pressure gradually until 1.75 MPa increases wear rate. However, at low and high velocities, increasing pressure gradually (until 2.25 MPa) increases the wear rate. Figure 5 shows the relationship between actual and predicted wear rate. This figure indicates empirical equation of predicated weight loss has good fitness with actual weight loss values. It is clear that wear rate decreases due to surface ironing (strain hardening). On the other hand, the wear rate increases due to the ferrite net (soft phase).

Figure 3
figure 3

3D surface plot for wear rate relating to pressure and velocity: (a) hot-rolled and (b) QAMf.

Figure 4
figure 4

Contour map of wear rate in terms of pressure and velocity: (a) hot-rolled and (b) QAMf.

Figure 5
figure 5

Relationship between actual and predicted wear rate (a) hot-rolled and (b) QAMf.

Mathematical modeling of Abbott Firestone zones

Abbott Firestone results

Figures 6a, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11a describe the relationship between surface roughness (in grey) and its frequency after hot-rolled and QAMf. These figures are qualitatively description. They show three regions of surface roughness such as high, exploitation (mean zone), and low peaks (voids). Therefore, it was necessary to find out the relationship between surface roughness and its distribution quantitively. Figures 6b, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11b indicate the different three zones high peaks, exploitation zone, and finally voids zone (low peaks) after hot-rolled and QAMf.

Figure 6
figure 6

(a) Surface texture, (a,b) Abbott Firestone curves at 0.5 MPa and different velocities of hot-rolled.

Figure 7
figure 7

(a) Surface texture and& (b) Abbott Firestone curves at 1.5 MPa and different velocities of hot-rolled.

Figure 8
figure 8

(a) Surface texture and (b) Abbott Firestone curves at 2.5 MPa and different velocities of hot-rolled.

Figure 9
figure 9

(a) Surface texture and (b) Abbott Firestone curves at 0.5 MPa and different velocities of QAMf.

Figure 10
figure 10

(a) Surface texture and (b) Abbott Firestone curves at 1.5 MPa and different velocities of QAMf.

Figure 11
figure 11

(a) Surface texture and (b) Abbott Firestone curves at 2.5 MPa and different velocities of QAMf.

For hot-rolled, at low pressure, with increasing velocity (1.5–3 m/s), the high peaks zone gradually increases while exploitation zone gradually decreases, see Fig. 6b. This means high peaks increases at the expense of exploitation zone. Furthermore, voids zone is approximately constant. At moderate pressure, with increasing velocity (1.5–3 m/s), high peaks slightly decrease (19–17%), see Fig. 7b. On contrary, the exploitation zone slightly increases (80–83%). It found that voids zone almost zero values. Figure 8b describes the surface roughness of hot rolled steel at high pressure. High peaks show gradual increase followed by gradual decrease (tipping point at 2.25 m/s). Exploitation zone exhibits gradual decrease followed by gradual increase (tipping point at 2.25 m/s). However, the voids zone is 3% at low velocity and decreases to 1% at medium and high velocities.

For QAMf, at low pressure, with increasing velocity (1.5–3 m/s), high peaks zone demonstrates gradual increase followed by gradual decrease (tipping point at 2.25 m/s). On the other hand, exploitation zone is approximately constant (84 and 83%) at 1.5 and 2.25 m/s but it increases to 89% at 3 m/s, see Fig. 9b. This means that exploitation zone suffers as high peaks drop. However, voids zone is 2% at low velocity (1.5 m/s) and zero at medium and high velocity (2.25 and 3 m/s). At moderate pressure, with increasing velocity (1.5–3 m/s), high peaks show significant increase followed by significant decrease (tipping point at 2.25 m/s), see Fig. 10b Exploitation zone exhibits gradual decrease followed by gradual increase (tipping point at 2.25 m/s). It was found that voids zone had almost zero value. Surface roughness of QAMf steel at high pressure is seen in Fig. 11b. Zone of high peaks exhibits progressive decrease (40–32%), whereas exploitation zone shows progressive increase (59–68%). It was also discovered that voids zone had nearly zero values. Tables 8 and 9 demonstrate different limits of two parameters (pressure and velocity) and Abbott Firestone zones, with high peaks zone being response 2, exploitation zone being response 3, and voids zone being response 4.

Table 8 Experimental CCD showing Abbott Firestone zones of 0.16C hot-rolled steel.
Table 9 Experimental CCD showing Abbott Firestone zones of 0.16C QAMf steel.

Statistical analysis of Abbott Firestone zones

The influence of pressure and velocity on worn surface i.e., Abbott Firestone zones of 0.16C steel (hot-rolled and QAMf) is studied in this section. Tables 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 show that quadratic models were suggested based on the statistical evaluation of various models after multiple trials with Design-Expert software. The best model is the modified quadratic, which produces a high adjusted correlation factor. Additionally, the cubic order model was discovered to be aliased for data ranges supplied by software. For Abbott Firestone zones (high peaks, exploitation, and voids) of hot-rolled and QAMf steels, the modified quadratic model (suggested model) was adopted. For hot-rolled, R-squared values of high peaks, exploitation, voids were 0.7838, 0.8594, and 0.97,96, respectively. However, adjusted R-squared values were 0.6293, 0.7590, and 0.9651. On the other hand, for QAMf, R-squared values were 0.6658, 0.7136, and 0.9560. However, adjusted R-squared values were 0.4270, 0.5090, and 0.9246.

Table 10 Model summary statistics of high peaks zone for hot-rolled steel.
Table 11 Model summary statistics of exploitation zone for hot-rolled steel.
Table 12 Model summary statistics of voids zone for hot-rolled steel.
Table 13 Model summary statistics of high peaks zone for QAMf steel.
Table 14 Model summary statistics of exploitation zone for QAMf steel.
Table 15 Model summary statistics of voids zone for QAMf steel.

ANOVA of Abbott Firestone zones

Tables 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 show the models of ANOVA generated for high peaks, exploitation, and voids zones. The model’s importance is confirmed by its F-values. In case of hot-rolled, F-values of 17.81, 27.84, and 170.10 for high peaks, exploitation, and voids, respectively. However, after QAMf, F-values were 4.36, 2.51, and 78.32. For hot-rolled, predicted R2 values of 0.9614, 0.9750, and 0.9958 for high peaks, exploitation, and voids zones, respectively. However, after QAMf, predicted R2 values were 0.8592, 0.7782, and 0.9910, which are as close to adjusted R2 values of 0.9074, 0.9400, and 0.9900 for hot-rolled and 0.6620, 0.4676, and 0.9783 for QAMf. This could indicate a large block effect or a problem with your data or model. In case of hot-rolled, adeq precision values of 15.505, 19.624, and 41.070 for high peaks, exploitation, and voids zones, respectively. On the other hand, after QAMf, adeq precision values were 6.423, 5.132, and 27.459, a ratio of more than 4 is optimal for signaling that the model can explore the design space. Final empirical Eqs. (5)–(10) in terms of actual factors, pressure (P), velocity (V), and their multiplication products can determine wear rate among the parameter ranges examined.

Table 16 ANOVA results for quadratic model (high peaks zone is response) of hot-rolled steel.
Table 17 ANOVA results for quadratic model (exploitation zone is response) of hot-rolled steel.
Table 18 ANOVA results for quadratic model (voids zone is response) of hot-rolled steel.
Table 19 ANOVA results for quadratic model (high peaks zone is response) of QAMf.
Table 20 ANOVA results for quadratic model (exploitation zone is response) of QAMf.
Table 21 ANOVA results for quadratic model (voids zone is response) of QAMf.
$$\text{High peaks }\left(\text{hot rolled}\right)= 27.63147 - 5.26724 \times \text{ P }- 10.96264 \times \text{ V }+ 8.00000 \times \text{ P }\times \text{ V }- 4.57759 \times {\text{P}}^{2} + 4.9732 \times {\text{V}}^{2} + 3.66667 \times {\text{P}}^{2} \times \text{ V }- 4.88889 \times \text{ P }\times {\text{V}}^{2},$$
(5)
$$\text{Exploitation zone }\left(\text{hot rolled}\right)= 71.23276 + 1.87931 \times \text{ P }+ 11.34483 \times \text{ V }- 4.00000 \times \text{ P }\times \text{V }+ 4.20690 \times {\text{P}}^{2}-5.40996 \times {\text{V}}^{2}- 4.00000 \times {\text{P}}^{2} \times \text{ V }+ 4.44444 \times \text{ P }\times {\text{V}}^{2},$$
(6)
$$\text{Voids zone }\left(\text{hot rolled}\right)= 1.13578 + 3.38793 \times \text{ P }- 0.382184 \times \text{ V}-4.00000 \times \text{ P }\times \text{ V }+ 0.370690 \times {\text{P}}^{2}+ 0.436782 \times {\text{V}}^{2} + 0.333333 \times {\text{P}}^{2} \times \text{ V }+ 0.444444 \times \text{ P }\times {\text{V}}^{2},$$
(7)
$$\text{High peaks }\left({\text{QAM}}_{\text{f}}\right)= 0.342129 + 0.218576 \times \text{ P }- 0.338380 \times \text{ V }-0.049006 \times \text{ P }\times \text{ V }-0.111090 \times {\text{P}}^{2} + 0.091783 \times {\text{V}}^{2} + 0.047563 \times {\text{P}}^{2} \times \text{ V }-0.021799\times \text{ P }\times {\text{V}}^{2},$$
(8)
$$\text{Exploitation zone }\left({\text{QAM}}_{\text{f}}\right)= 196.65517 + 26.08621 \times \text{ P }- 119.10345 \times \text{ V }-2.66667 \times \text{ P }\times \text{V}+22.86207 \times {\text{P}}^{2} + 30.02299 \times {\text{V}}^{2} +10.66667 \times {\text{P}}^{2} \times \text{ V }- 6.22222 \times \text{ P }\times {\text{V}}^{2},$$
(9)
$$\text{Voids zone }\left({\text{QAM}}_{\text{f}}\right)= 13.51078 - 5.61207 \times \text{ P }- 9.88218 \times \text{ V }+ 3.33333 \times \text{ P }\times \text{ V }+ 0.870690 \times {\text{P}}^{2} +1.77011 \times {\text{V}}^{2} - 0.333333 \times {\text{P}}^{2} \times \text{ V }- 0.444444 \times \text{ P }\times {\text{V}}^{2}.$$
(10)

Graphical results of Abbott Firestone zones

Figure 12 shows 3D surface plot of Abbott Firestone zones (high peaks, exploitation, and voids) of hot-rolled steel. The added benefit of 3D graphic is that it allows you to see how the effect of one parameter varies when the value of another change. For instance, considering the effect of velocity (V) at two different values of pressure (P), which were at 0.5 and 2.5 MPa, it is clear that P effect was stronger in first case in high peaks zone. On the contrary for voids zone, it’s worth noting that P effect was stronger in second case. However, the effect of V at 1.5 MPa can be observed that have a stronger effect on exploitation zone, see Fig. 12 (hot-rolled). To predict the different values of Abbott Firestone zones it is very useful contour map as seen in Fig. 13. At low pressure, increasing velocity gradually increases high peaks, while at medium pressure, increasing velocity gradually increases exploitation zone. However, at low velocity, increasing pressure exhibits increases voids zone.

Figure 12
figure 12

3D Surface plot of (a) high peaks, (b) exploitation, and (c) voids zones of hot-rolled.

Figure 13
figure 13

Contour plot of (a) high peaks, (b) exploitation and (c) voids zones of hot-rolled.

Figure 14 shows 3D surface plot of Abbott Firestone zones (high peaks, exploitation, and voids) of QAMf steel. Considering the effect of velocity (V) at two different values of pressure (P), which were at 0.5 and 2.5 MPa, it can be observed that P effect was stronger in the second case on the high peaks zone, Fig. 14a. In the contrary for exploitation and voids zones, it can be observed that P effect was stronger in the first case, Fig. 14b,c. Figure 15 shows a contour map of QAMf steel. At increasing velocity and pressure gradually increases high peaks (Fig. 15a), while at decreasing velocity and pressure exhibits an increase voids zone (Fig. 15c). However, at low and high velocities, decreasing pressure gradually increases the exploitation zone (Fig. 15b). Figures 16 and 17 show relationship between actual and predicted Abbott Firestone zones (high peaks, exploitation, and voids).

Figure 14
figure 14

3D Surface plot of (a) high peaks, (b) exploitation, and (c) voids of QAMf.

Figure 15
figure 15

Contour plot of (a) high peaks, (b) exploitation, and (c) voids of QAMf.

Figure 16
figure 16

Relationship between actual and predicted Abbott Firestone zones of hot-rolled.

Figure 17
figure 17

Relationship between actual and predicted Abbott Firestone zones of QAMf.

Conclusions

In this study, the influences of applied pressure and running velocity (input factors) on wear rate as well as Abbott Firestone zones after hot-rolled and QAMf of low carbon steel (0.16C) were investigated in an experimental setting with the DOE-based CCD technique. Based on the results of the current experiments and modeling, the following are the conclusions:

  1. 1.

    Wear rate increases with increased pressure and velocity. Pressure had the biggest effect on the wear rate behavior of the two variables investigated. On the other hand, Abbott Firestone zones were built by EDT.

  2. 2.

    QAMf process relatively decreased wear rate of 0.16C steel compared to hot rolling process.

  3. 3.

    The best wear rate models and Abbott Firestone zones offered precise data that could be approximated, saving time and cost.

  4. 4.

    RSM model was used to find the best wear parameter values for achieving the lowest wear rate.

  5. 5.

    Predictive wear model using RSM can be applicable for a certain wear system to estimate its wear rate.

  6. 6.

    Predicted results coincide well with the experimental findings, indicating that the developed models can be used to accurately forecast wear behavior and Abbott Firestone zones.