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A Rapid Spheroidizing Annealing Process for High-Carbon Steel
Bei Li1, Zhi Tong2, Mengying Zhao1
1Research Institute of Technology, Shougang Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100041, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|January 28, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a rapid spheroidizing annealing process for high-carbon steels using low-temperature pretreatment. The method accelerates carbide spheroidization, achieving desired hardness with reduced time and energy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Metallurgy
- Heat Treatment
Background:
- Spheroidizing annealing is crucial for high-carbon steels, balancing hardness and machinability.
- Conventional methods require prolonged annealing times and high energy consumption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a rapid spheroidizing annealing process for high-carbon steels.
- To reduce processing time and energy consumption while maintaining material properties.
Main Methods:
- A novel low-temperature pretreatment followed by subcritical heating was employed.
- Carbide precipitates in non-equilibrium phases (martensite/lower bainite) were utilized as nucleation sites.
- Optimized pretreatment temperature at 400 °C.
Main Results:
- Achieved a homogeneous spheroidized microstructure.
- Obtained a hardness of 206.7 HV, comparable to conventional annealing.
- Significantly reduced processing time and energy usage.
Conclusions:
- The rapid spheroidizing annealing process is effective for high-carbon steels.
- This method offers a more efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional annealing.
- The process successfully balances hardness and machinability with reduced resource input.
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