HeatTreatmentofSteel-machiningbymorley.ppt

Heat Treatment of Steel Unit 86 Objectives Select the proper grade of tool steel for a workpiece Harden and temper a carbon-steel workpiece Case-harden a piece of machine steel Heat Treatment of Steel Process of heating and cooling metal in its solid state in order to obtain desired changes in its physical properties Important mechanical properties of steel Hardened to resist wear and abrasion Softened to improve ductility and machinability Heat treated to remove internal stresses, reduce grain size or increase toughness Heat Treating Equipment Done in specially controlled furnaces which may use gas, oil or electricity to provide heat Equipped with safety devices and control devices to maintain temperature Equipped with fume hood and exhaust fan Air switch in exhaust duct operates solenoid valve which permits main gas valve to open Should fan fail, air switch also fails, main gas supply close down Furnace Temperature Controlled by thermocouple and indicating pyrometer Types of Furnaces Low-temperature furnace Temperatures up to 1300oF High-temperature furnace Temperatures up to 2500oF Pot-type furnace Used for hardening and tempering by immersing part in molten heat-treating medium which may be salt or lead Parts do not come into contact with air Heat-Treatment Terms Heat treatment Heating and subsequent cooling of metals to produce desired mechanical properties Decalescence point Temperature where carbon steel transforms from pearlite to austenite; 1300oF for 83% carbon steel Recalescence point Temperature where carbon steel transforms from austenite to pearlite when being slowly cooled Lower critical temperature point Lowest temperature where steel may be quenched in order to harden it Coincides with decalescence point Upper critical temperature point Highest temperature where steel may be quenched to attain maximum hardness and finest grain structure Critical range Temperature range bounded by upper and lower critical temperatures Hardening Heating of steel ab