## 3 Results
Annealing time also affects the average  
Figure 3: Results of the tribological test, (**a**) mass loss of the samples in correlation to the time of material annealing, (**b**) average friction coefficient in relation to annealing time, (**c**) wear depth in relation to the annealing time, and (**d**) wear depth in relation to force used during the test. friction coefficient, with its average value increasing with longer annealing. A statistically significant difference in mean values is noted between samples annealed for 4 h and those annealed for 12 h, with an overall increasing trend (Figure 3b). The wear depth resulting from the tribological tests does not show a statistically significant difference relative to the annealing time. However, the trend in wear depth is similar to that observed for mass loss. As the annealing time increases, the depth of wear decreases, with the most substantial difference observed between samples annealed for 4 and 8 h. The difference between 8 and 12 h of annealing is smaller. Nonetheless, significant variation in results makes it challenging to definitively establish the impact of observed differences (Figure 3c). Regarding wear depth, the parameter that significantly affects the observed results is the applied load during the test. It is observed that, with increasing applied load, the wear depth also increases. This increase is independent of the annealing time and may be a source of significant variation in the results presented in the earlier chart (Figure 3d). The tribological tests yielded comparable values of abrasive wear resistance, indicating that the tested materials underwent a similar wear mechanism. To examine this mechanism, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to visualize the wear surfaces. The results of this analysis are presented in Figure 4.  
The documentation of the wear surfaces indicates that the primary wear mechanisms observed were microcutting and grooving. For all tested wear surfaces, features such as grooves and material undulations were evident. Plastic deformation and surface flaking of the worn material were observed in all samples. The image of the sample surface is consistent with the observed changes in the friction coefficient value (Figure 2). The surface of the tested samples is notably uneven, exhibiting a multitude of grooves. No significant differences were noted between the samples treated at 850 \({}^{\circ}\)C for 4 and 8 h (see Figure 4a-f). However, for the sample treated for 12 h, the wear surface appeared less developed, with more areas exhibiting a smoother texture (see Figure 4g-i). The observed surfaces did not show significant differences from each other. Based on the photographic documentation, it cannot be confirmed that the heat treatment of the material or changes in the tribological test parameters significantly affected the wear mechanism of the tested samples. Based on the obtained results, it can be inferred that the observed differences in the tribological properties of the tested material are largely influenced by its microstructure. Therefore, a microstructural analysis of the material was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microstructural images of the heat-treated material at various annealing times are presented in Figure 5.  
The microstructural analysis of the material conducted using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals that the tested samples exhibit a pearlitic microstructure with secondary carbide precipitates. Based on the chemical composition of the alloy, it can be concluded that these precipitates are secondary cementite. As a result of the heat treatment process, a gradual dissolution of smaller secondary cementite precipitates is observed. Comparing the samples annealed for 4 and 8 h shows an increase in the average size of pearlite colonies (Figure 5a,b). This trend continues with the extension of the annealing time (Figure 5c). Observations at higher magnification confirm that the heat treatment process leads to the gradual dissolution of smaller carbide precipitates.