Papers by Keyword: Quenching

Abstract: Mathematical modelling of phase transformations and hardness distribution in non-monotonic quenched steel specimen was developed based on the results of simple experimental test i.e. Jominy test. The hardness in specimen points was estimated by the conversion of cooling time results to hardness by using both, the relation between cooling time and distance from the quenched end of Jominy specimen, and by using the Jominy hardenability curve. The cooling curve at the specimen point was predicted by numerical modelling of cooling by using the finite volume method. Developed numerical model for computer simulation of quenching was also experimentally verified. Limitations of proposed numerical model were found out as well. It has been shown that proposed numerical model can be successfully applied for purposes of simulation of continuous and interrupted quenching of carbon and low alloyed steel specimens.

Abstract: Q&P annealing cycles with different partitioning conditions were performed on cold rolled 0.2C-2.22Mn-1.44Si-0.21Cr steel. An important influence of partitioning temperature and time on the evolution of retained austenite fraction was shown through the saturation magnetization measurements. Such effect of partitioning conditions was also observed on the evolution of mechanical behavior. The evolution of microstructure and mechanical properties with the partitioning conditions was analyzed. Mechanical stability of retained austenite as a function of partitioning time was also assessed. Finally, modeling of the obtained stress-strain curves was performed and some explanations of the observed tendencies between partitioning conditions and tensile properties were proposed.

Abstract: Quenching is an important step during age hardening of aluminium alloys. It significantly influences on microstructures, properties, residual stresses and component distortion. Due to high heat transfer, thermal stresses occur in quenched components. I.e., all premature precipitates during undercritical quenching form on condition of mechanical stresses. Opposite, quench sensitivity investigations, e.g. recording of continuous cooling precipitation diagrams, are usually performed in stress-free conditions and may therefore be incomplete. We have developed a new method of thermomechanical analysis and calorimetric reheating to investigate stress induced precipitation during quenching of aluminium alloys. For aluminium alloy 2024, it has been shown for the very first time that mechanical stresses during quenching also influence on quench-induced precipitation reactions.

Abstract: Quenching is a critical step during the strengthening age hardening of Aluminium alloys. To obtain optimal technological results, parts should be quenched with the upper critical cooling rate. The precipitation behaviour of Al alloys during cooling from solution annealing and thereby the critical cooling rates are typically investigated by in-situ measurements with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Conventional DSCs are limited at cooling rates below 10 Ks^-1. Unfortunately, medium to high strength Al alloys typically have critical cooling rates between 10 and some 100 Ks^-1. Recently it was shown that dilatometry is generally able for in-situ detection of precipitation in Al alloys. Dilatometry allows controlled cooling up to some 100 Ks^-1 and therefore covers the cooling rate range relevant. In this work, we aim to show up and discuss possibilities and limitations of dilatometric detection of quench induced precipitates in 2xxx, and 7xxx Al alloys. The basic method will be presented and results will be compared with DSC work.

Abstract: The present work explores the importance of model parameters and input variables when simulating the quenching of thick sectioned nuclear forgings. The modelling approach adopted uses values of specific heat capacity, containing latent heat release, to simulate cooling curves; rather than calculating transformation kinetics based upon a mathematical model. Termed the effective specific heat (Cp_eff), two different methods were used to establish values: differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermos dynamic predictive software. Values were then included in finite element (FE) models to simulate the characteristic cooling at the mid-wall position in a thick section forging and were validated against production thermocouple data. The investigation found that the formation of ferrite, bainite and martensite or lower bainite were all represented by the data established using DSC and critical formation temperatures were comparable with others in the literature. Conversely, values calculated using the thermodynamic software failed to represent ferrite formation and predicted different critical transformation temperatures for bainite. The simulated cooling curve that used the software predicted Cp_eff data was comparable to the thermocouple data either side of the bainite transformation, however during the transformation the effects of latent heat on cooling rate were over predicting leading to disparities. The equivalent DSC cooling curves produced a near exact match.

Abstract: Residual stresses are often introduced into aluminum alloys through quenching processes performed to generate the required microstructure. Such residual stresses are known to be deleterious to the integrity of the component. Methods to mitigate residual stresses in quenched components are therefore of great importance. Cold rolling has been proposed as an effective technique to remove residual stresses in large components. In this work, the effectiveness of cold rolling in reducing the residual stresses in quenched blocks AA7050 has been quantified using the neutron diffraction technique. Neutron diffraction measurements have been performed on two blocks one quenched and the other quenched & cold rolled block. Comparing the residual stress distributions pre and post rolling it has been found that cold rolling almost eliminates the tensile residual stresses in the core of the block, however it generates large tensile residual stresses d in a shallow region near the surface of the block.

Abstract: The purpose of this research was to study the microstructure change of ASSAB 760 (equivalent to AISI 1045 and JIS S45C) steel subjected to the gas cementation and the quenching process. Gas cementation is a heat treatment surface process by means of carbon diffusing into steel. This process is carried out in a furnace in a fluidized bed by using media of liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and nitrogen gas at a temperature of 1203 K and various holding times of 7.2, 10.8 and 14.4 ks, respectively. The rapid quenching process is carried out in oil media for 420 sec. The results shows, that remnant austenite is formed on the specimen with a holding time of 7.2 ks and the networks of existing bainite structure are clearly spread on the specimen with holding time of 10.8 and 14.4 ks. Additionally, this gas cementation process when followed by the quenching process is effective in forming the martensite and austenite microstructures.

Abstract: Influence of different type heat treatment including high temperature quenching on wear resistance has been investigated. The two investigated steels are widely used in production of mud pumps. It was shown that Kh12MFL had better wear resistance in comparison with 150KhNML. Martensitic-carbide structure of the steels formed by quenching from high temperatures (900 – 1000 °С) induced good hardness (61 – 64 HRC). Analysis of the residual austenite contents influence on wear resistance was also made. It was determined that residual austenite formed after high temperature quenching (900 – 1000 °С) was metastable and had tendency to transform into carbon containing martensite of deformation. This allowed steels to have maximum wear resistance because of providing high abilities to friction hardening of the work place of the sample.

Abstract: The effects of austenite grain size on hardenability and impact toughness were investigated. The results show that: Since the beginning of the two-phase region with quenching temperature, the austenite grain size from the initial 4+6 mixed crystal at 740°C, and gradually increased to 10 at 860°C; Austenite grain size and hardenability was directly proportional to the austenite grain size increased from 8μm to 36μm, the biggest change is the hardness 10HRC; Austenite grain size and impact toughness is linear, with the decrease of grain size, the impact energy increases linearly, and the austenite grain size and impact toughness curve fitting. Comprehensive analysis for ensuring the hardenability of cold heading steels should be considered optimal matching of material strength and plasticity.

Abstract: Phase equilibria of the BaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃ ternary system was experimentally investigated using a quenching technique and analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) equipped with Energy Dispersive Analysis (EDS) and X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD). A ternary compound was confirmed in the present work. The liquidus composition in equilibrium with the ternary compound at 1500 °C were quantified. The isothermal sections of the BaO-SiO₂-Al₂O₃ ternary system at 1400 °C, 1500 °C, 1600 °C, and 1700 °C were calculated. Based on the data acquired, the isothermal section at 1500 °C was constructed.