See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/303766904

Evaluation of MechanicalProperties of EN31 steel heat treated using

Biodegradable oilsEvaluation of MechanicalProperties of EN31 steel heat
treated using Biodegradable oils

Experiment Findings · October 2015

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.1871.5762

CITATIONS READS

0 20,619

4 authors:

Harichandra bp Mrudula Prashanth

M.S. Ramaiah Institute of Technology Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
3 PUBLICATIONS   6 CITATIONS    8 PUBLICATIONS   27 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Mahantayya K Mathapati Siddareddy V Prakash

K.L.E. College of Engineering & Technology CMR Institute of Technology
11 PUBLICATIONS   72 CITATIONS    8 PUBLICATIONS   51 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Aerospace structural Materials View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Siddareddy V Prakash on 03 June 2016.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.50 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm

Evaluation of MechanicalProperties of EN31 steel heat

treated using Biodegradable oils
B.P.Harichandra1, Mrudula Prashanth2*, Mahantayya Mahapathi3, S.V.Prakash4
1
Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology, Bengaluru,
India. bpharichandra@gmail.com
2*
Assistant Professor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, School of Engineering, Bengaluru campus,
India,mrudula213@gmail.com9845552774
3
Research Scholar, NITK, Surathkal, Karnataka, India.mahantkm@gmail.com
4
Professor and Head, Department of Mechanical Engineering, CMR Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, India.
yagprash@hotmail.com

Keywords: EN 31, Biodegradable oils, Super Quench (SF) oil, Heat treatment

Abstract:Heat treating is the controlled heating and
cooling of metals to achieve the desired physical and
mechanical properties without changing the product
shape. Most of the researches reveal thatthe commonly
used quenchants is water, but petroleum based
quenchants are utilized as quenching medium when
lower cooling rates and more uniform cooling is desired
for better distortion control and crack prevention. In
order to overcome some of the disadvantages of
petroleum quenchants such as poor biodegradability,
toxicity, flammability and non-renewability, an attempt
has been made to find an alternative ie.,
biodegradable,nontoxic oil and renewable such as
Gingelly oil and Soybean oil as quenchants in the heat
treatment of high carbon EN31 steel and the evaluation
of mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile
strength,yield strength has been carried out in both
untreated and heat treated condition and compared with
the properties of petroleum based SF(super-fast quench)
oil as quenchant.
1. Introduction
Steel is defined as an alloy of iron and carbon with
the carbon content up to about 2% wt., with a vast
application almost in every part of our life. [1]
EN31 is a popular grade of alloy steel which is
widely used in automobile industry for production
of axle, roller bearings, shear blades, spindle ,
forming , molding dies, ball bearings, spinning
tools, beading rolls, punches and dies[2], shafts,
studs, bolts, used in high stress and with a large
cross section. It includes aircraft and general
engineering applications for propeller or gear
components. The typical composition of EN31
steel is as shown table 1.
The properties of the carbon steelsvary with their
composition and microstructure, which are
dependent on the alloying elements present in the
steel and to the kind of heat treatment process it is
subjected to. Steel is heated to the austenitization
temperature and then cooled at a faster rate to avoid
ferrite or pearlite transformation and allow the
formation of bainite and martensite to obtain
maximum hardness and strength. The factors that
the critical cooling rate is depend upon are both the
specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of
the steel as well as the quenchants in addition to
quench-bath temperature and agitation.[1][3].
Among the many quenchants used, water is the
most common one. Whenever lower cooling rates
and more uniform cooling is desired for better
distortion control and crack preventionpetroleum-
oil-derived quenchants are used [4]. Petroleum oil
possesses a number of other significant
disadvantages, including poor biodegradability,
Toxicity, Flammability and Nonrenewability in
addition to being susceptible to global supply
issues [5, 6]. Hence it is of continuing interest to
identify alternative quenchants to petroleum oil as a
base stock for quenchants formulation.Currently,
vegetable oils like Gingelly, canola, soybean, corn,
cotton seed and sunflower oils are most commonly
available vegetable oils [3].Out of these, soybean
oil and Gingelly oil exhibit a narrow viscosity
range, high boiling point, nontoxic, renewable and
highly biodegradable[7,8]. Hence these oils are
preferred to be used as quenchants for carbon
steels.
2. Methodology:
The steel selected for experimentation is EN31 a
high carbon steel which was readily available from
the steel supplier at hot rolled condition. An optical
emission spectrometry test was conducted for the

1248
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.50 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm

evaluation of material composition and it was bench type of Tensometer. Fig 1, represents the
found to meet the standards. The following table 1, specimen specification as per ASTM E8.
depicts the composition of EN31 steel which was
purchased by the supplier.
Table 1: Chemical composition of EN 31

Elements Values Specification

obtained requirement[9]
(%)
Carbon 1.066 0.90-1.20
Silicon 0.216 0.10-0.35
Fig. 1. Specification of tensile test specimen
Manganese 0.325 0.30-0.75
The specimen for tensile testing is fixed between
Sulphur 0.022 <0.04
the shackles in the Tensometer. The specimen is
Phosphorous 0.013 <0.04 subjected to an incremental load of 50gms/sec till
Chromium 1.415 1.00-1.60 the specimen broke. The system generates a graph
of stress vs strain curve through which the ultimate
Molybdenum 0.022 -
strength and yield strength were found. The%
Nickel 0.005 - elongation readings were also obtained.
Iron Remaining Remaining
3.2. Hardness Test:
Hardness is the property of the material, which
Steel rods of 16mm diameter were purchased. The gives it, the ability to resist permanent deformation.
specimens were subjected to heat treatment Greater the hardness of the metal, the greater
process. Here the work hardening method is resistance it exhibits against deformation. In the
utilized for the purpose. The specimens were current study, microhardness of the specimen is
heated to a temperature of 8600 C i.e., found using Vicker’s microhardness test.The
austenitization temperature of steel in a furnace and microhardness usually refers to static indentation
held at 8600C for 30 minutes [10]. Then each set of made with loads not exceeding 1kgf. In Vicker’s
specimens were directly quenched in Gingelly oil hardness test, the load is applied smoothly, without
or soybean oil or SF(Petroleum based) oil impact, and the holding time is 10 seconds. The
separately. The time gap between the specimen physical quality of the indenter and the accuracy of
removal from the furnace and the quenching was the applied load(as per E-384) must be controlled
less than 10 Seconds. After quenching the to get the correct results. After the load is removed,
specimen were taken out of the bath and cleaned the two diagonals of the impression is measured,
properly then subjected to tempering ie., by heating with a micrometer, to the nearest 0.1µm, and then
the quenched steel to 4500C and held at that averaged. The Vicker’s hardness (HV) is calculated
temperature for 30 minutes (soaking period),and using the formula,
then cooled in air at room temperature[10]. After HV=1854.4*L/D2, where; L= Test Load applied in
tempering, the specimen were cleaned and grams-force,D= Average diagonal length of the
assessment of mechanical properties were carried impression in µm.The calculated value is converted
out.Average of three replicates weretaken for each in to HRC equivalent for convenience.The
reading considered in all the experiments. A Muffle following Fig. 3 illustrates the specimen prepared
Furnace whose working range was between 1000C- for Vicker’s hardness test as per E384.
10000C was used for the purpose.

3.Testing and Evaluation: 12

3.1. Tensile Test:

In the present work the tensile specimens were Ø12
prepared and tested according to ASTM E8
standardsand the tensile test was carried out using a

1249
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.50 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm

Fig. 3. Standard hardness testspecimen. quenched in gingelly oil is slightly lower than that
of the super quench oil.
3.3. Microstructural Analysis:
Leica DM version optical Microscope was used to 4.2 Yield strength
study the microstructure.Moulds were prepared Variation in the yield strength of the specimen in
using bakelite material and they were polished untreated condtion and heat treated condition
using emery paper of grit sizes 80, 120, 200, 600, quenched by different quenchants i.e. Gingelly oil,
800, 1000 and up to 1/0, followed by polishing Soybean oil and Super quench oil is shown in Fig.
using diamond paste on rotating linen disc and 7.
finished with polishing on velvet cloth. These
samples were etched with 2% nital (nitric acid and 1500 1338 1343 1339
ethanol) and dried in air[11]. The etched samples

YIELD STRENGTH IN N/MM2

were studied using optical microscope at a
magnification of 200X and 500X. 1000
4. Results and Discussions:
Yield
4.1 Tensile Strength: Strength
500 375 N/mm2
The tensile tests were conducted for the specimens
at both untreated and heat treated conditions,
quenched in different quenchants i.e., Gingelly oil, 0
Soybean oil and Super quench oil. The variations
untreated Gingelly soybean super
are as shown in fig. 6 and it can be observed that, oil oil quench oil
the Ultimate Tensile strength of the specimen in QUENCH OILS
heat treated condition is higher when compared to Fig. 7. Variation in the yield strength of the specimen
that of untreated condition.

It can be observed from the above figure that,Yield

strength of the specimen in heat treated condition is
2000
ULTIMATE TENSILE STRENGTH N/MM2

higher than the specimen which are untreated.

1428 1471 1448

1500
4.3 Percentage Elongation

Variation in the Percentage Elongation of the

1000
specimen in untreated condtion and heat treated
616 condition quenched by different quenchants i.e.
500 Gingelly oil, Soybean oil and Super quench oil is
shown below Fig.8.

0 It is observed that, Percentage Elongation of the

QUENCH OILS
Fig.6. Variation of tensile strength of the specimen
Also it is observed that the ultimate tensile strength
of the specimen quenched in soybean oil is higher
than the specimen quenched in super quench oil
and the ultimate tensile strength of the specimen
specimen in heat treated condition is reduced as
ferrite transforms to martensite and martensite
induces hardeness and reduces ductility. Compared
to the super quench oil, soybean oil quench
specimen achieves a higher percentage elongation
and the specimen quenched in gingelly oil also
exhibits elongation which is approximately equal to
that of specimen quenched in superquench oil.
4.4 Hardness

1250
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.50 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm

Variation in the micro hardness of the EN 31

steelin untreated condition and heat treated
condition quenched by different quenchants i.e.
Gingelly oil, Soybean oil and super quench oil is
shown in fig.7.and it can be observed that, the
micro hardness values of the specimen in untreated 4.5 Microstrucutral Analysis:
condition is less as compared to heat treated 4.5.1. Microstructure of EN 31 steel in
condition. untreated condition

25 22.5

20
% ELONGATION

14.2 14.8 14.3

15 200X 500X

Fig. 10(a) Fig. 10(b)

10 Fig.10(a),(b). Microstructure of EN 31 steel in
% Elongation untreated condition
5 The Fig. 10(a)&10(b) shows microstructure
containing pearlite which exhibits low hardness
0
untreated Gingelly oil soybean super
oil quench oil 4.5.2. Microstructure of EN31 steel treated
QUENCH OILS
with gingelly oil
Fig. 8. Variation in the % elongation of the specimen

Micro Hardness values of the specimen in heat

treated condition is higher and there is a less
variation in the Micro Hardness values quenched 200X 500X
by gingelly oil, soybean oil and super quenh oil.
Fig. 11(a) Fig. 11(b)
The material becomes much harder as the phase
transformation takes place from ferrite to
Fig 11(a)&(b). Microstructure of EN 31 steel
martensite. Martensite is much harder. quenched in Gingelly oil
Fig 11(a),(b). shows microstructure containing
60 tempered martesite with undissolved carbide.
47 48
MICROHARDNESS IN HRC

50 45
4.5.3. Microstructure of EN 31 steel
40 quenched by soyabean oil

30
MicroHardness
18
20 Of EN 31in HRC

10
200X 500X

0 Fig. 12(a) Fig. 12(b)

untreated Gingelly soybean super
oil oil quench oil Fig 12(a)&(b). Microstructure of EN 31 steel
QUENCH OILS quenched by soyabean oil
Fig 12(a)&(b).shows microstructure containing
Fig.9. Variation of micro hardness values of the
tempered martesite with undissolved carbide (light
specimen.
phase). It is observed that the amount of
Comparatively,soybean oil quenched specimen exhibits a undissolved carbide in the sample quenched in
higher hardness but slightly lesser than that of SF oil soybean oil is more compared to that of the one
quenched specimen. quenched in gingelly oil.

1251
 International Journal of Applied Engineering Research, ISSN 0973-4562 Vol. 10 No.50 (2015)
© Research India Publications; httpwww.ripublication.comijaer.htm
4.5.4. Microstructure of EN 31 steel
quenched in super quench oil
200X
Fig. 13(a) Fig. 13(b)
Fig 13(a)&(b). Microstructure of EN 31 steel
quenched in super quench oil.
Fig 13(a) & (b). shows microstructure containing
tempered martesite with undissolved carbide.
5. Conclusion:
On the basis of tests conducted on the specimen it
is concluded that there exists no much variation in
the hardness, tensile strength,yield strength and %
elongation of the specimen that are treated with
soybean oil, gingelly oil, and superquench oil.
Hence we can use gingelly oil and soybean oil
(biodegradable oil) as a substitute for superquench
oil as quenchants during the process of heat
treatment for the purpose of hardening. When a
comparison is made between the gingelly oil and
soybean oil, soybean oil quenched specimen
exhibits better properties.
The Microstructures also reveal that the specimen
possess tempered martensite with undissolved
carbide which makes the material harder and also
improves strength and upon comparison between
the specimen quenched in soybean oil and gingelly
View publication stats
oil, soybean oil quenched specimen exhibitsmore
of undissolved carbides which makes it harder.
5. References
[1]Torsten Ericsson, “Principal of Heat treating of Steels”; ASM
Handbook Volume 4 ,1991 edition, pp 14 – 25.
[2] Singh Iqbal, Dr.Garg T.K, Er. Chhatwat Gurmeet Singh,
Methods to improve mechanical properties of EN31 (high
carbon steel) and D3 (High- Carbon, High Chromium Steel)
materials, International Journal of Research in Engineering and
Applied Sciences, 2014, Vol4, Issue 6, pp. 67 - 92.
[3] Peter Fernandes, K. Narayan Prabhu “Comparative study of
500X
heat transfer and wetting behavior of conventional and
bioquenchants for industrial heat treatment, International Journal
of Heat and Mass Transfer 51 ,2008,pp 526–538.
[4] G.Ramesh, Narayan Prabhu, “Wetting kinetics, kinematics
and heat transfer characteristics ofpongamia pinnata vegetable
oil for industrial heat treatment”,Applied Thermal
Engineering,65,2014,pp433-446.
www.elsevier.com/locate/apthermeng
[5] E.C. Souza, M.R. Fernandes, S.C.M. Augustinho, L.C.F.
Canale, G.E. Totten, “Comparison of structure and quenching
performance of vegetable oils”,J. ASTM Int. 6 ,2009,.
JAI102188.
[6] G.E. Totten, H.M. Tensi, K. Lainer, Performance of
vegetable oils as a coolingmedium in comparison to a standard
mineral oil, J. Mater. Eng. Perform. 8,1999,pp 409-416.
[7] D.S. MacKenzie, L. Gunsalus, I. Lazerav,“Effect of
contamination onthe cooling rate of quench oils”, in:
International Federation of HeatTreatment and Surface
Engineering Conference, Croatia, 2001.
[8] W.B. Wan Nik, F.N. Ani, H.H. Masjuki, Thermal stability
evaluationof palm oil as energy transport media, Energy
Convers. Manage.46 ,2005,pp 2198–2215.
[9] Thoni V Philip and Thomas J Mccaffrey “Ultrahigh Strength
Steels” ASM Handbook, Volume 1,1990 edition,pp 1119-1125.
[10] Ashish Bhateja, Aditya Varma, Ashish Kashyap, Bhupinder
singh, “Study the Effect on the Hardness of three Sample Grades
of Tool Steel i.e. EN-31,EN-8 and D3 after Heat Treatment
processes such as Annealing,Normalizing, and Hardening &
Tempering, The International Journal of Engineering And
Science(IJES), Volume 1,Issue 2,2012,pp 253-259.
[11] S.Harisha,A.Bensely,D.Mohan Lal, A. Rajaduraic,
Gyöngyvér B. Lenkey,” Microstructural study of cryogenically
treated EN 31 bearing steel”, Journal of material processing
technology 209 ,2009,pp 3351-3357.
1252