Tribological studies of aqueous poly quenched medium carbon steel

Abstract

Abstract In the recent time, aqueous polymer quenchants are gaining importance in the steel heat treatment processes over conventional quenchants. It has been observed that desirable microstructure and mechanical properties can be achieved by proper adjustment of the quench parameters in the polymeric media. Reduction of distortion and cracking of heat treated steel has also been reported. However, the effect of this comparatively new technique of heat treatment on the tribologicalbehavior of steel has not been reported to a greater extent. In the present experimental study the effect of aqueous PEG-400 (poly ethylene glycol) solution as a quenching medium on medium carbon steel has been studied followed by the study of friction and wear. Multi tribotester ‘TR-25’ (DUCOM) has been utilized for this purpose. This paper also highlights the different applications of the new generation polymer quenchants and various critical quenching system parameters that need to be considered during the design stage of the quenching system for the new generation polymer quenchants. The results have been discussed along with necessary figures