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Thermal Treatment Processes: ME 311: Manufacturing Processes Course
Thermal Treatment Processes: ME 311: Manufacturing Processes Course
Laboratory
Objectives:
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Section I: Introduction to Thermal Treatment Processes
A metallic material can be altered via mechanical and/or thermal means to change the mechanical
properties of the material. Such treatments are most often used to alter strength, hardness, and
ductility of a material.
Austenite is a solid solution of carbon in iron in a face centered cubic (FCC) crystalline structure
which is stable at elevated temperature. The temperature at which austenite formation occurs
depends primarily on carbon content of the steel. This temperature can be determined from the
phase equilibrium diagram for the particular steel composition. The material must be held at the
austenitizing temperature for a period of time to ensure completeness of the phase transformation
and homogeneous structure. The amount of time required is dependent on the size and shape of the
work piece as well as its composition.
After the time required for austenite formation, the material is rapidly cooled by quenching. Most
often, quenching is accomplished by immersing the material in oil or water although air quenching is
also used. Under conditions of rapid cooling, austenite transforms into an unstable (non
equilibrium) phase known as martensite. This phase is a supersaturated solution of carbon in iron in a
body centered tetragonal structure. Martensite is very hard, relatively brittle phase which provides
the ability of strengthening steel to very high levels. Quenching usually results in a structure
composed of martensite plus ferrite (solid solution of carbon in iron in body centered cubic
structure) and iron carbide (cementite). The proportions present after quenching depend on carbon
content and cooling rate. Higher carbon content and rapid cooling tend to produce larger
proportions of martensite.
Martensite is hard and brittle. In order to reduce brittleness, increase ductility, and relieve internal
stresses from rapid cooling step, the material is subjected to a second heating operation known as
tempering. The temperature for the tempering step must be below the austenite transformation
temperature and is usually between 400F and 800F. The resultant properties of the steel after
tempering depend on the time allowed for tempering as well as the temperature. In this lab, a
constant temperature will be used and the effect of tempering time on hardness will be investigated.
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Figure 1: Iron-Carbon Phase Equilibrium diagram. (Source: Material Science and Metallurgy, 4th
edition, Pollack, Prentice-Hall 1988)
The effect of cooling rate on the resultant structure of steel can be observed on a time-temperature
transformation diagram. A sample diagram is provided (Figure 2) that shows three cooling rates
resulting in cooling curves A, B, and C. Curve A represents conditions at the end of the Jominy
specimen nearest the water stream. The material at this end will be composed primarily of
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martensite and should be relatively hard. Curve C is indicative of conditions farther along the bar
and indicates a softer composition which includes ferrite and pearlite.
The effect of cooling rate is evidenced by obtaining hardness measurements along the length of the
bar. A plot of hardness versus distance (Figure 3) is the standard method for presenting
hardenability data.
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Name: Section:_ Group:_ Due Date:
The instructor/TA will demonstrate heat treatment process and use of Rockwell hardness machine.
B. Jominy Test
An AISI 1040 or 4140 alloy specimen will be given with indentations along the length. Use the
Rockwell hardness machine to measure Rockwell hardness values. Each measurement should be
made in the center of the flat area. Record the data in Table 3. Note: One person should
perform the hardness measurement while another person holds the specimen steady in position
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on the machine. This will avoid erroneous reading caused by the overhanging weight of the
specimen.