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Rapid Thermal Processing to Enhance Steel Toughness
V K Judge1, J G Speer1, K D Clarke1
1Colorado School of Mines, George S. Ansell Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Advanced Steel Processing and Products Research Center, 1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO, 80401, USA.
Scientific Reports
|January 12, 2018
Summary
Short-time, rapid tempering overcomes tempered martensite embrittlement (TME) in steel, achieving superior strength and toughness combinations. This novel approach enhances mechanical properties beyond conventional quenching and tempering (Q&T) methods.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Metallurgy
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Quenching and Tempering (Q&T) is a standard heat treatment for enhancing steel properties.
- Tempered Martensite Embrittlement (TME) is a known limitation in conventional Q&T, reducing toughness at high strength levels.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of short-time, rapid tempering on steel mechanical properties.
- To demonstrate the potential for overcoming TME and achieving novel property combinations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized short-time, rapid tempering processes.
- Characterized mechanical properties including strength and toughness.
- Evaluated the limitations of the traditional tempering parameter (TP).
Main Results:
- Achieved over 43% toughness enhancement at 1.7 GPa strength.
- Increased strength by over 0.5 GPa at 30 J impact toughness.
- Demonstrated that the traditional tempering parameter (TP) is insufficient for rapid tempering characterization.
Conclusions:
- Short-time, rapid tempering offers a pathway to unprecedented steel property combinations by mitigating TME.
- Novel Q&T steels processed via rapid tempering hold promise for energy, defense, and transportation sectors.
- Energy-efficient manufacturing processes like induction heating are key enablers for rapid tempering.
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