EFFECTOFAUSTEMPERINGTEMPERATURESONMICROSTRUCTUREAND.pdfVIP

EFFECT OF AUSTEMPERING TEMPERATURES ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF A BEARING STEEL Volkan Kilicli, Ph.D.1 and Mucahit Kaplan, M.Sc.2 Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Gazi University, 06500, Teknikokullar, Ankara, Turkey 1 Institute of Science and Technology, Gazi University, 06500, Teknikokullar, Ankara, Turkey 2 Abstract: In this study, the effect of austempering temperatures on microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 52100 steel, which is commonly used in producing bearings, was investigated. AISI 52100 steel specimens were austenitized at 950 °C for 30 min and then were quenched into a salt bath held at three different austempering temperatures (250°C, 275°C and 300°C) and austempered for various times (15 min, 30 min, 60 min and 120 min). Microstructural constituents were characterized by using optical microscope. Impact toughness and hardness tests were conducted to determine the mechanical properties of AISI 52100 steel. Experimental results showed that, enhancement of the impact toughness of AISI 52100 steel depends on the bainitic structure. The selection of austempering temperature constitutes a key parameter to obtain superior impact toughness − hardness combination in AISI 52100 bearing steel. Keywords: AUSTEMPERING TEMPERATURE, AISI 52100 STEEL, BAINITE, IMPACT TOUGHNESS. 1. Introduction The heat treated specimens were cut and hot mounted for mechanical grinding and polishing with up to 1 µm diamond AISI 52100 steel is the high carbon a