Abstract
To provide a suitable microstructure and mechanical properties for modified Grade 440A martensitic stainless steel (MSS), which could facilitate the further cold deformation process (e.g., cold rolling), this work used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo-Calc software to determine three soaking temperatures for annealing heat treatment processes (HT1, HT2 and HT3). To verify the feasibility of the proposed annealing heat treatment processes, the as-received samples were initially heated to 1050 °C (similar to the on-line working temperature) for 30 min and air quenched to form a martensitic structure. The air-quenched samples were then subjected to three developed annealing heat treatment conditions. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the heat-treated samples were then investigated. Test results showed that considering the effects of the microstructure and the hardness, the HT1, the HT2 or the soaking temperatures between the HT1 and HT2 were the most recommended processes to modified Grade 440A MSS. When using the recommended processes, their carbides were fine and more evenly distributed, and the microhardness was as low as 210 Hv, which can be applied to the actual production process.
Highlights
Grade 440A martensitic stainless steel (MSS) [1,2,3] is a high carbon and high chromium MSS
Given the advantages of high strength, moderate corrosion resistance, and good hardness and wear resistance, it is designed to be used for wear components, such as stainless steel knives, bearings, valves, nozzles, precision slides, etc
C and Cr, a large sized carbide particle may precipitate during cooling due to solidification or high temperature operation
Summary
Grade 440A martensitic stainless steel (MSS) [1,2,3] is a high carbon (around 0.6 wt. %) and high chromium (around 16–18 wt. %) MSS. Grade 440A martensitic stainless steel (MSS) [1,2,3] is a high carbon Given the advantages of high strength, moderate corrosion resistance, and good hardness and wear resistance, it is designed to be used for wear components, such as stainless steel knives, bearings, valves, nozzles, precision slides, etc. C and Cr, a large sized carbide particle may precipitate during cooling due to solidification or high temperature operation. To eliminate the above problem by reducing the content of Cr, recently, a modified Grade 440A. The amount and type of carbide particles in the new type of Grade 440A MSS have important effects on hardness, resistance to corrosion, wear, deformation process (e.g., rolling), etc., and are significantly influenced by associated heat treatments. Many recent studies [5,6,7] used the combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Thermo-Calc calculation to obtain
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