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Experiment #8 - Hardenability of Steels: Engr 270 AA - Materials Science
Experiment #8 - Hardenability of Steels: Engr 270 AA - Materials Science
Experiment #8 - Hardenability of Steels: Engr 270 AA - Materials Science
Much of the information on non-equilibrium distribution, size, and type of phases has been
obtained from experiments. The results can be presented in a continuous cooling
transformation diagram for eutectoid composition as shown in Figure 2. The final
microstructure (martensite and/or pearlite) depends on the cooling rate. For pearlite
formation, slower cooling causes coarse pearlite while fast cooling causes fine pearlite to
form. Cooling rates faster than the critical cooling rate result in martensite.
The resulting microstructure also depends on the composition of the alloy. Figure 3 shows
the continuous cooling transformation diagram for 4340 steel (0.40 wt%C, 1.85 wt%Ni, 0.80
wt%C, and 0.25 wt% Mo). The presence of alloying elements other than Carbon shift the
pearlite (as well as the proeutectoid phase) and bainite formation to longer times, thus
decreasing the critical cooling rate. In fact, one of the reasons for alloying elements is to
facilitate the formation of martensite so that totally martensitic structures can develop in
relatively thick cross sections. The ability of a steel alloy to develop martensite is related to
a property called hardenability. It is a measure of the rate at which hardness drops off
with distance into the interior of a specimen as a result of diminished martensitic content.
You will be given two steels (1045) and an alloy steel (4130). Before heating the
specimens practice mounting the specimens in the rack and at the proper water flow to
spray the ends of the specimen.
Mark each specimen noting the hardness on the Rockwell C scale. Check to make sure
the collar of the Jominy is secure and put the specimen in the furnace at 1600 degrees F
for 45 minutes. While you are waiting to heat the specimens examine the microstructure of
the allow steel and carbon steel specimens provided by the instructor. At the end of the
austenizing treatment remove one specimen and carefully but rapidly place the specimen in
the hold with the water turned on.
Method of Test:
The standard method for the Jominy test is ASTM-A255. The specimen consists of a
cylindrical bar with a 1-in diameter and 4-in length and with a 1/16 in flange at one end.
The test consists of austenitizing at 5F above the solvus line on the Fe-C phase which
separates from + iron. Thereafter the specimen is removed from the furnace and is
placed in the hardenability fixture as in Figure 4a. The time spent transferring the specimen
from the furnace to the fixture should not be more than 5 sec. The fixture is constructed so
that the specimen is held 1/2 inch above the water opening so that a column of water is
directed only at the bottom of the bar. The water opening is 1/2 inch in diameter and the
flow is previously adjusted to cause the column to rise 2-1/2 inches without the specimen in
place. The test piece is held 10 minutes in the fixture under the action of cooling before
quenching in cold water.
hardness and the distance from the quenched end is due to the variation in the cooling
rates that result to different microstructures at different distances from the quenched end.