HeatTreatment-SummerhillCollege.pptVIP

Heat Treatment of metals Damian Keenan Summerhill College March 2013 Fundamental Metallurgy Terms Cementite - Iron carbide Fe3C chemical compound of iron and carbon Fundamental Metallurgy Terms Ferrite - Pure iron Cementite - Iron carbide Fe3C chemical compound of iron and carbon Pearlite - Grain structure resulting from a mechanical combination of ferrite and cementite in layer formation. Terms cont. Austenite - grains of ferrite and pearlite change when steel is heated to transformation temperature. Austenite will dissolve carbon and alloying elements. Martensite - Formed when carbon steel is rapidly cooled by quenching. Untempered martensite is the hardest and most brittle of the microstructures. Heat Treatment An operation, or series of operations, involving the heating and cooling of steel in the solid state to develop the required properties. Related to the crystalline structure of carbon and iron. Heat Treatment Low carbon steels are generally used as rolled and in most cases do not respond well to heat treating High carbon steels and alloys use heat treatment as the means of achieving the ultimate property capabilities on the metals Four Types Stress Relieving Normalizing Annealing Hardening and Tempering Stress Relieving Reduces internal stresses that may have been caused by machining, cold working or welding. Heat the metal to a temperature below the critical range (1100oF) Hold until temperature is reached throughout the piece. Allow to cool slowly Normalizing Promotes uniformity of the structure and alters mechanical properties. The steel is heated to a determined temperature above the critical range (1600-1700o F) Cooled to below that range in still air. Molecular structure changes Results in higher strength, hardness, and less ductility Cools faster than stress relieving or annealing Annealing May be used for the following: To soften steel To develop a structure like lamellar pearlite or spheroidized carbide. To improve machi