Topic: Design of chemical composition for steels with desired hardenability

Assignment:
Design the chemical composition of steel for machine shaft shown in figure (see attachment
“wal_masz”). This shaft will be quenched and high-tempered at T = 540⁰C. Directly after
quenching the core structure of shaft should consist of 80% of martensite.
The final hardness of shaft core after quenching and tempering should be equal 310 HV.
The hardenability of steel determine by use of Grossmann method (see attachment
“hard1” and “hard2”), assuming the grain size of austenite Nr 6, in accordance with ASTM
scale.
The hardenability determine for two cooling mediums water and oil, assuming strong
movement of medium (it involves designing of two steels, first for water, second for oil).
The hardness of designed steel, in heat treated condition, calculate using the formula:

% ∆ %

where: % – hardness of plain carbon steel (no alloying elements) depends on carbon
content (%C) (see attachment„ HRC_C_content”);
∆ % - increase of hardness caused by addition of alloying element (AE) (see attachment
„mart_1” fig.14).
Design constrains:
Number of alloying elements (n) is free, but concentration of each of them can be maximal
up to 1% (%AE ≤ 1%).
Carbon content in designed steel should be within the range 0,3 ≤%C ≤ 0,6.
Remarks:
Hardenability criterion will be met, if calculated diameter for designed steel is equal or
higher than this required (not higher than 10% ).
Hardness criterion will be met for calculated hardness equal or higher this required (not
higher than 10%).