Abstract
The objective of this work was to investigate effects of magnetically treated tap water quenchant on hardenability and quenching crack resistance of S45C steel. The magnetically treated water quenchant was prepared by circulating regular tap water though a 130 mT magnetic field. The S45C steel was austenized at 860°C for 30 minutes. The hardenability in transverse section measurement of S45C steel quenched in magnetically treated tap water did not differ from that prepared with regular tap water quenchant. In measurements of the quenched end, the hardenability of S45C Steel quenched in magnetically treated water was below that with tap water quenchant. On the other hand, quenching crack resistance of S45C steel quenched in magnetically treated tap water was higher than that prepared with regular tap water. Moreover, microstructures of specimens quenched in magnetically treated tap water quenchant were different from that with regular tap water quenchant. Fine martensite structure formed in specimen quenched in regular tap water quenchant, while coarse lath martensite formed in specimens quenched in magnetically treated tap water quenchant.
Highlights
Heat treatments of steel parts are needed in the manufacture of automotive components
Effects of magnetically treated tap water quenchant on hardenability and quenching crack resistance of S45C steel were investigated in this work
The results show that hardenability of S45C steel quenched in magnetically treated tap water as quenchant was similar to that with regular tap water quenchant, in a transverse section measurement
Summary
Heat treatments of steel parts are needed in the manufacture of automotive components. Hardening of steel includes austenitizing and quenching steps. The subsequent rapid cooling by immersion in a quenching medium is called quenching. The microstructure and properties of steel after quenching depends on the choice of quenching medium, such as water, salt solution and oil, which differ in the cooling rates. One disadvantage of water is its rapid cooling rate that persists at lower temperatures where distortion and cracking are more likely to occur[2]. Quenching in oil provides slower cooling rates than water quenching, which reduces the possibility of introduction of distortions and cracks in the quenched piece[3], while the environmental effects of oil waste pose limitations. Finding quenchant alternatives to oils is of interest in related research
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