method of increasing the hardness of low-carbon steels

Effect of heat treatment on quality

Steel in its original state is a fairly plastic mass and can be processed by deformation.
It can be forged, stamped, rolled. To change the mechanical properties and achieve the required qualities, heat treatment of the metal is used. The essence of thermal or heat treatment is the use of a set of operations for heating, holding and cooling hard metal alloys. As a result of such processing, the alloy changes its internal structure and acquires certain properties necessary for the manufacturer and consumer.

Critical points

Critical points are temperatures at which the structure of steel and its phase state change. Calculated in 1868 by the Russian metallurgist and inventor Dmitry Konstantinovich Chernov, therefore they are sometimes called Chernov points.

Such points are designated by the letter A. The lower point A1 corresponds to the temperature at which austenite turns into pearlite when cooled or pearlite into austenite when heated. Point A3 is the upper critical point, corresponding to the temperature at which ferrite begins to separate during cooling or its dissolution ends when heated.

If the critical point is determined during heating, then the index “c” is added to the letter “A”, and when cooling, the index “r” is added.

For this steel, the following critical point temperatures are determined:

Algorithm for heat treatment of steel and alloys:

• annealing:
• hardening;
• vacation;
• normalization;
• aging;
• cryogenic treatment.

Heat treatment for 40x steel. Characteristics of the temperature regime in accordance with the requirements of GOST 4543–71:

• hardening of steel 40x in an oil environment at a temperature of 860*C;
• tempering in water or oil at a temperature of 500*C.

As a result of this heat treatment, this steel acquires increased hardness (HB hardness number no more than 217), high tensile strength (980 N/m2) and impact strength of 59 J/cm2.

Yield strength

Speaking about mechanical properties, it is necessary to mention such an important characteristic as the yield strength. If the applied load is too great, then the structure or its parts begin to deform and not elastic (completely disappearing, reversible), but plastic (irreversible residual) deformations appear in the metal

In other words, the metal “flows.”

The yield point is the boundary between elastic and elastoplastic deformations. The value of the yield strength depends on many factors: heat treatment mode, the presence of impurities and alloying elements in the steel, microstructure and type of crystal lattice, temperature.

In metallurgy, a distinction is made between the concepts of physical and conditional yield strength.

The physical yield strength is the stress value at which the deformation of the test specimen increases without increasing the applied load. In reference books, this value is designated σt and for grade 40x its value is no less than 785 N/mm2 or 80 KGS/mm2.

It should be noted that plastic (irreversible) deformations do not appear in the metal instantly, but increase gradually, with increasing applied load. Therefore, from a technology point of view, it is more appropriate to use the term “conditional (technical) yield strength.”

The conditional (or technical) yield strength is the stress at which the prototype receives a plastic (irreversible) elongation of its calculated length by 0.2%. In the tables this value is designated as σ 0.2 and for steel 40x it is:

• at temperatures from 101 to 200*C - 490 MPa;
• at temperatures from 201 to 300*C - 440 MPa;
• at temperatures from 301 to 500*C - 345 MPa.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=CUV4o6sd6VY

Steels in which the total amount of alloying elements is in the range of 2.5-10% are classified as alloyed.

Alloy steels are most widely used in mechanical engineering.

Alloyed structural steels are marked with numbers and letters. The two-digit numbers given at the beginning of the brand indicate the average carbon content in hundredths of a percent; the letters to the right of the number indicate the alloying element. For example, steel 12Х2Н4А contains 0.12% C, 2% Cr, 4% Ni and is classified as high-quality, as indicated by the letter ²A² at the end of the grade.

Structural case-hardened (nitro-cemented) alloy steels

For the manufacture of parts strengthened by carburization, low-carbon (0.15-0.25% C) steels are used. The content of alloying elements in steels should not be too high, but should provide the required hardenability of the surface layer and core.

Chrome steels

15Х, 20Х are intended for the manufacture of small products of simple shape, cemented to a depth of 1.0-1.5 mm. Chromium steels, compared to carbon steels, have higher strength properties with some lower ductility in the core and better strength in the cemented layer, are sensitive to overheating, and have low hardenability.

Steel 20X - sв=800MPa, s0.2=650MPa, d=11%, y=40%.

Chrome vanadium steels

. Alloying chromium steel with vanadium (0.1-0.2%) improves the mechanical properties (20HF steel). In addition, chrome vanadium steels are less prone to overheating. Used only for the manufacture of relatively small parts.

Chrome-nickel steels

are used for large critical parts that experience significant dynamic loads during operation. Increased strength, ductility and toughness of the core and cemented layer. The steels are insensitive to overheating during prolonged carburization and are not prone to oversaturation of surface layers with carbon

Steel 12Х2Н4А - sв=1150MPa, s0.2=950MPa, d=10%, y=50%.

Chromium-manganese steels

used in many cases instead of expensive chromium-nickel ones. However, they are less resistant to overheating and have lower viscosity compared to chromium-nickel.

In the automotive and tractor industries, and in machine tool construction, 18KhGT and 25KhGT steels are used.

Steel 25KhGM - sv=1200MPv, s0.2=1100MPa, d=10%, y=45%.

Chromium-manganese-nickel steels.

Increasing the hardenability and strength of chromium-manganese steels is achieved by additional alloying them with nickel.

At VAZ, steels 20KhGNM, 19KhGN and 14KhGN are widely used.

After carburization, these steels have high mechanical properties.

Steel 15KhGN2TA - sv=950MPa, s0.2=750MPa, d=11%, y=55%.

Boron alloy steels

. Boron increases the hardenability of steel and makes steel sensitive to overheating.

In industry, 20KhGR steel, as well as 20KhGNR steel, are used for parts operating under friction wear conditions.

Steel 20KhGNR - sv=1300MPa, s0.2=1200MPa, d=10%, y=09%.

Structural (machine-building) upgradeable alloy steels

Steels have a high yield strength, low sensitivity to stress concentrators, and in products operating under repeated application of loads, a high endurance limit and a sufficient reserve of viscosity. In addition, the steels being improved have good hardenability and low sensitivity to temper brittleness.

When fully hardenable, steel has better mechanical properties, especially resistance to brittle fracture - a low threshold of cold brittleness, a high value of the work of crack propagation KST and fracture toughness K1c.

Chrome steels

30Х, 38ХА, 40Х and 50Х are used for medium-loaded parts of small sizes. With increasing carbon content, strength increases, but ductility and toughness decrease. The hardenability of chromium steels is low.

Steel 30X - sv=900MPa, s0.2=700MPa, d=12%, y=45%.

Chromium-manganese steels

. Joint alloying with chromium (0.9-1.2%) and manganese (0.9-1.2%) makes it possible to obtain steels with sufficiently high strength and hardenability (40ХГНМ). However, chromium-manganese steels have reduced toughness, an increased threshold of cold brittleness (from 20 to -60°C), a tendency to temper brittleness and growth of austenite grains when heated.

Steel 40KhGTR - sv=1000MPa, s0.2=800MPa, d=11%, y=45%.

Chrome-silicon-manganese steels.

Chromium-silicon-manganese steels (chromansil) have a high range of properties. Steels 20KhGSA, 25KhGSA and 30KhGS have high strength and good weldability. Chromansil steels are also used in the form of sheets and pipes for critical welded structures (aircraft construction). Chromansil steels are prone to reversible temper embrittlement and decarburization when heated.

Steel 30ХГС - sв=1100MPa, s0.2=850MPa, d=10%, y=45%.

Chrome-nickel steels

have high hardenability, good strength and toughness. They are used for the manufacture of large products with complex configurations operating under dynamic and vibration loads.

Steel 40ХН - sв=1000MPa, s0.2=800MPa, d=11%, y=45%.

Chromium-nickel-molybdenum steels.

Chromium-nickel steels have a tendency to reversible temper brittleness, to eliminate which many small-sized parts made of these steels are cooled after high tempering in oil, and larger parts in water are additionally alloyed with molybdenum (40ХН2МА) or tungsten to eliminate this defect.

Steel 40KhN2MA - sв=1100MPa, s0.2=950MPa, d=12%, y=50%.

Chromium-nickel-molybdenum-vanadium steels have high strength, ductility and toughness and a low cold brittleness threshold. This is facilitated by the high nickel content. The disadvantages of steels are the difficulty of cutting them and a high tendency to form flakes. Steels are used for the manufacture of the most critical parts of turbines and compressor machines.

Steel 38KhN3MFA - sv=1200MPa, s0.2=1100MPa, d=12%, y=50%.

Russia, GOST

USA, AISI, ASTM, ASME	Euronorms, En , DIN , WNr	Areas of use
Structural alloy steel (chromium group)
15X	5120	Bushings, pins, gears, rollers, pushers, clips, sleeves, disks, plungers, levers and other cemented parts, which are subject to the requirements of high surface hardness with low core strength, parts operating under friction wear conditions.
15ХА
20X
30X	5130	Fasteners for operation at temperatures not exceeding 400 degrees.
30HPA	Axles, shafts, levers, bolts, nuts and other small parts, as well as gears, shafts and loaded studs
35X	5130, 5132	34Cr4, 1.7033	Axles, shafts, gears, ring rails and other upgradeable parts.
38ХА	Used: for the production of hot-rolled plates; worms and parts of worm pairs, gears, gears, shafts, axles, critical bolts, special fasteners and other upgradeable parts; solid rolled rings for various purposes.
40X	5140	41Cr4, 42Cr4, 1.7045	Axles, shafts, gear shafts, plungers, rods, crankshafts and cam shafts, rings, spindles, mandrels, racks, sponge rings, bolts, axle shafts, bushings and other upgradeable high-strength parts.
45X	5145	Gears, axles, bolts, connecting rods, spindles, set screws, large gears, gear shafts, thrust rings, hot rolling rolls and other improved parts that require increased hardness, wear resistance, strength and operating under low impact loads.
50X	5045, 5147		46Cr2, 1.7006
Structural alloy steel (manganese group)
15G	A414 Gr F,G,A 515 Gr70,A516 Gr70, C16 E, 1016	17Mn4, 1.0481, 1.1148,	After improvement - rivets for critical purposes; after carburization or cyanidation - piston pins, friction discs, spring pins, cam rollers, bolts, nuts, screws, gears, worms and other parts with high surface hardness and wear resistance; without heat treatment - welded sub-motor frames, shoes, gussets, fittings, bushings.
20G	20Mn5, 1.1133
25G	1025,A 108 1025,A 510 1025,A 512 1025,A 513 1025,A 576 1025	GS-Ck 25
30G	1330	28Mn6, 1.1170	Improved parts that require low strength requirements: rods, axles, earrings, traverses, levers, couplings, shafts, sprockets, cylinders, disks, spindles, steam turbine couplings, bolts, nuts, screws and other parts
35G	36Mn5
40G, 40GR	axles, crankshafts, gears, rods, tires, fittings, connecting rods, sprockets, camshafts, plunger heads and other parts that require increased strength.
45G	1045, A 108 1045, A 29 1045, A 311 1045, A 576 1045, SA-29 1045, SA-311 1045	C45E,Ck 45,GS-Ck 45	crankshafts, connecting rods, axles, propeller shafts, brake levers, friction discs, gears, spline and gear shafts, anchor bolts.
50G	friction disks, shafts, gears, splined shafts, connecting rods, camshafts, bearing bushings, cranks, spindles, flywheel rims, crankshafts of diesel and gas engines and other parts that require increased strength and wear resistance.
10G2	fasteners and other parts operating at temperatures from -70 °C under pressure.
30G2	crankshafts, axle shafts, axles, clutch levers, gear shift forks, flanges
35G2	shafts, axle shafts, axles, clutch levers, forks, flanges, crankshafts, connecting rods, bolts, rings, casings, gears and other parts used in various branches of mechanical engineering, which are subject to increased wear resistance requirements.
40G2
45G2	46Mn7, 1.0912	gear shafts, crankshafts and cardan shafts, axle shafts, worms, connecting rod caps, connecting rods, conveyor chain links and other large, moderately loaded parts.
50G2	gears, friction disks, gear shafts and other parts subject to abrasion.
47GT	car axle shafts.
Structural alloy steel (chromium-manganese group)
18ХГ	5115, 5120	16MnCr5, 1.7131	for cemented parts of small cross-sections operating under friction
18ХГТ	improved or cemented parts for critical purposes, which require increased core strength and toughness, as well as high surface hardness, operating under impact loads.
20ХГР
27ХГР	30MnB4, 1.5526	critical parts: front drive axle hinge cams, gears, etc.
25ХГТ	loaded gears and other parts whose hardness is more than HRCe 59.
30ХГТ	improved and cemented parts that require high strength, a viscous core and high surface hardness, operating at high speeds and increased specific pressures under the influence of shock loads.
40HGTR	shafts, knuckles, sprockets, axles, levers operating under conditions of friction and increased loads in automotive and agricultural engineering
25ХГМ	4120	18CrMo4, 1.7243	Gearbox gears
38ХГМ	4140	42CrMo4, 1.7225
Structural alloy steel (chromium-silicon group)
33ХС	Shafts, gears, couplings, pins and other small-sized parts to be improved, which are subject to the requirements of high strength, elasticity, and wear resistance.
38ХС
40ХС
Structural alloy steel (chrome-molybdenum, chrome-vanadium and chrome-molybdenum-vanadium groups)
15ХМ	A 182 grade F12, A213 Grade T12, A 335 Grade P12	13CrMo4-4, 1.7335	Sections, forgings, pipes for superheaters, steam pipelines, manifolds, flanges, long-term operating at temperatures up to 500 degrees.
15HF	For small parts subjected to carburization and hardening with low tempering (gears, piston pins, camshafts, plungers, copiers)
20ХМ
30ХМ, 30ХМА	4130	25CrMo4,34CrMo4, GS-34CrMo4, 1.7218	General-purpose forgings, shafts, rotors and disks of steam turbines, flanges, fasteners with operating temperatures up to 450 degrees, billets. Heat-resistant steel.
35ХМ	Shafts, gears, spindles, pins, flanges, disks, tires, rods and other critical parts operating under conditions of heavy loads and speeds at temperatures up to 450-500 °C. Heat resistant steel.
38ХМ,38ХМА	4140,4142	1.7223,1.7225,41CrMo4,42CrMo4	For the manufacture of critical parts of turbines and compressors operating at temperatures up to 400 degrees Celsius. Heat resistant steel.
38Х2МУА(38ХМУА)	Valve rods of steam turbines operating at temperatures up to 450 °C, cylinder liners of internal combustion engines, injector needles, axlebox plates, nozzles, pins, plungers, camshafts, gears, shafts, bushings and other parts. Not applicable for welded structures, heat resistant up to 500°C.
30Х3МФ	31CrMoV9V, 1.8519	Parts of marine diesel engines and other parts that must be wear-resistant at high pressures; steel is nitrided, heat-resistant up to 450 degrees C
40HMFA	Manufacturing of splined shafts, brushes, connecting rods, pipeline fasteners operating at temperatures up to +400 °C
40HFA	In improved condition - spline shafts, rods, set screws, traverses, excavator shafts and other parts operating at temperatures up to 400 ° C; after hardening and low tempering - worm shafts and other parts with increased wear resistance.
Structural alloy steel (nickel-molybdenum and chromium-nickel-molybdenum groups)
15N2M(15NM)	4615	Gears, gear wheels, pins and other critical parts operating under shock and alternating loads
20N2M(20NM)	4621	Same
20ХН2М(20ХНМ)	Gears, axle shafts, satellites, cams, hinges and other parts.
18Х2Н4МА(18Х2Н4ВА)	For the manufacture of critical parts that require high strength, toughness and wear resistance, as well as for parts that are subject to high vibration and dynamic loads after carburization and improvement; pipeline parts with quenching in oil and tempering in oil or air; seamless pipes for aviation equipment; intake valves, bolts, studs and other critical parts operating in a corrosive environment at elevated temperatures (+300-400 °C). Steel can be used at temperatures from -70 °C to +450 °C.
25Х2Н4МА(25Х2Н4ВА)	Large connecting rods, couplings and other parts of high viscosity and hardenability
30ХН2МА(30ХНМА)	Crankshafts, connecting rods, critical bolts, studs, discs, sprockets and other critical parts operating under difficult loading conditions at normal, low and elevated temperatures
38ХН3МА(38ХН3ВА)	Shafts, axles, gears and other large, critical parts.
38Х2Н2МА(38ХНМА)	4330	34CrNiMo6, 1.6582	For the manufacture of shafts, connecting rods, bolts, studs, rings of turbogenerators and other large, especially critical, heavily loaded parts of complex configurations, used in an improved condition; for the manufacture of centrifugally cast pipes intended for the manufacture of coils of tube furnaces for plants producing ammonia, hydrogen, ethylene, carbon disulfide, etc., operating in the temperature range 760-1060 °C and pressure up to 3.92 MPa (40 kgf/cm2); solid rolled rings for various purposes
40ХН2МА(40ХНМА)	4340, 9840	40NiCrMo6, 1.6565.36 CrNiMo4	In industry for the production of valves, solid-rolled rings, crankshafts, connecting rods, connecting rod caps, critical bolts and other fasteners, special fasteners, gears, claw couplings, disks and other heavily loaded parts; for the manufacture of rolls for cold rolling of metals; for the production of pipeline fittings parts; aircraft manufacturing parts (rotor shafts, crankshafts, gearbox shafts, air-cooled engine connecting rods, critical bolts, studs, propeller parts, massive and power thruster parts), operating at temperatures up to +500°.
40Х2Н2МА(40Х1НВА)	4340 SA-29 Grade 4340	40 NiCrMo 6	Large products: shafts, disks, gears, and fasteners.
Structural alloy steel (chromium-nickel and chromium-nickel with boron steel group)
12ХН	Gears, bushings, pins, fasteners and other parts that require increased toughness and moderate hardenability.
20ХН	Same
40ХН	Axles, shafts, connecting rods, gears, excavator shafts, couplings, gear shafts, spindles, bolts, levers, rods, cylinders and other critical loaded parts subject to vibration and dynamic loads, which are subject to increased strength and toughness requirements. Rolls of rail and beam and large-section mills for hot rolling of metal.
45ХН	Crankshafts, connecting rods, gears, spindles, couplings, bolts and other critical parts.
50ХН	Hot rolling rolls, pinion shafts, gears, tires, crankshafts, connecting rods, bolts, exhaust valves and other large critical parts.
20ХНР	Gears, pinion shafts, worms, jaw couplings, rollers, pins, bushings and other loaded large parts operating under shock loads.
12ХН2	Gears, shafts, worms, jaw couplings, piston pins and other cemented parts, which are subject to the requirements of high strength, ductility and toughness of the core and high surface hardness, operating under shock loads and at low temperatures.
12ХН3А	14NiCr10, 1.5732	For the manufacture of parts such as: gears, shafts, cam couplings, worms, piston pins and other cemented parts, which are subject to the requirements of high strength, ductility and toughness of the core and high surface hardness. Rolled steel 12xn3a is the basis for parts operating under the influence of high shock loads or at negative temperatures down to -100 °C. In addition, 12XH3A steel is used for the production of hot-rolled plates and bimetallic seamless pipes for shipbuilding with an outer layer of steel and an inner layer of copper. Difficult to weld with heating and subsequent heat treatment
20ХН3А	Gears, shafts, bushings, power pins, bolts, couplings, worms and other cemented parts, which are subject to the requirements of high strength, ductility and toughness of the core and high surface hardness, operating under shock loads and at low temperatures.
30ХН3А	Driven wheel crowns of electric train traction gears, gears and other upgradeable parts. Can be used at a temperature of -80 °C (wall thickness no more than 100 mm).
12Х2Н4А(ЭИ83)	E3310	Gears, shafts, rollers, piston pins and other large, especially critical cemented parts, which are subject to the requirements of high strength, ductility and toughness of the core and surface hardness, operating under shock loads or at negative temperatures down to -120 ° C.
20Х2Н4А	Gears, pinion shafts, pins and other cemented, especially critical, highly loaded parts, which are subject to the requirements of high strength, ductility and toughness of the core and high surface hardness, operating under shock loads or at subzero temperatures.
Structural alloy steel (chrome-silicon-manganese and chrome-silicon-manganese-nickel steel groups, including additionally alloyed with titanium, molybdenum and boron)
14ХГН, 19ХГН	1.5714, 16NiCr4
15KhGN2TA(15KhGNTA)	Ring gears, connecting rods, gears, etc.
20ХГНМ	Production of critical parts in a cemented and improved state, which are subject to the requirements of high strength, toughness and wear resistance; parts subject to high vibration and dynamic loads.
20ХГНР	Gears, pinion shafts, worms, jaw couplings, rollers, bushings and other critical parts operating under shock loads.
20HGNTR	Car universal joints
20ХГСА	Lead screws, axles, shafts, worms and other parts operating under wear conditions and under alternating loads at temperatures up to 200 °C.
25ХГНМА(25ХГНМ)	Production of rolled products used for the manufacture of drill bit parts, excavator parts, special fasteners, shafts, axles, gears and other critical parts of mining, metallurgical and oil production equipment, which are subject to increased strength requirements.
25ХГНМТ	Manufacturing of parts for friction devices; parts of auxiliary components of machines and devices.
25ХГСА	Critical welded and stamped parts used in improved condition: lead screws, axles, shafts, worms, connecting rods, crankshafts, rods and other parts.
30ХГСА, 30ХГС	Various improved parts: shafts, axles, gears, flanges, casings, compressor blades operating at temperatures up to 200°C, levers, pushers, critical welded structures operating under alternating loads, fasteners operating at low temperatures.
30KhGSN2A(30KhGSNA)	Gears, flanges, cams, pins, shafts, axles, studs and other critical, heavily loaded parts.
35ХГСА	Flanges, cams, pins, rollers, levers, axles, parts of welded structures and other upgradeable parts of complex configurations operating under alternating loads.
38ХГН	Excavator parts, fasteners, shafts, axles, gears, earrings and other critical parts that are subject to increased strength requirements.
40ХГНМ	Manufacturing of friction parts of devices; parts of auxiliary components of machines and devices; car chassis parts (steering knuckle, wheel bearing housing).
Structural alloy steel (chromium-nickel-molybdenum-vanadium and chromium-nickel-vanadium steel groups)
20ХН4FA	Intake valves, bolts, studs and other critical parts operating in a corrosive environment at elevated temperatures (300-400 °C).
30HN2MFA(30HN2VFA)	Shafts, solid forged rotors, disks, gearbox parts, bolts, studs and other critical parts of turbines and compressor machines operating at elevated temperatures.
36Kh2N2MFA(36KhN1MFA)	For large critical parts - disks, fastening bolts, etc.
38ХН3МФА	Manufacturing of turbogenerator rings and the most critical heavily loaded parts operating at temperatures up to +400 °C; heavily loaded parts of pipeline fittings; forged blanks of parts for pipe generator rotors.
45HN2MFA(45HNMFA)	Torsion shafts, gearboxes and other loaded parts operating under torsional, variable loads and experiencing dynamic loads.

History and technology of steel annealing

Annealing steel involves the use of variable temperatures: heating to high values ​​without loss of shape and cooling at a given temperature conditions leads to structural changes in the crystal lattice, the alloy receives new qualities needed to solve specific problems.

Annealing steel improves the technological characteristics of metals. It is customary to distinguish between 2 types of annealing - 1st and 2nd kind.

In the first case, the impact is carried out by cold hardening, which reduces internal stresses by recrystallization. This eliminates the effects of pressure treatment, reducing strength characteristics and increasing ductility. Products acquire increased reliability and durability.

The second type of impact includes heating the rolled product to a level exceeding critical points in special cooling modes in terms of duration and temperature. The result is a qualitative change in the structural lattices and obtaining the specified characteristics of the material. Annealing carries a risk of burnout. The occurrence of irreversible negative changes in the structure leads to the remelting of rolled products and products.

Chernov points

Calculation of temperature regimes is carried out using the ones discovered in 1868 by the Russian scientist D.K. Chernov critical points, depending on the temperature and % carbon content, at which the phase states and structural structure of metals change. Chernov’s discovery is the foundation for the creation of the science of metals: for the first time, a connection has been established between the processing mode, the structural appearance and characteristics of alloys. The use of critical points makes it possible to construct various modes of metal heat treatment. Chernov points are designated by the letter A with the addition of an index indicating the correspondence of the point to the influence:

• “c” - heating, from the French chauffage - heating;
• "r" - cooling, refroidissement - in French.

Diagram built on Chernov points:

Section “I” in the diagram corresponds to hypoeutectoid steel. The intersection of the diagram line, horizontally temperature and vertically, corresponding to the % carbon content in the alloy, determines the required critical values.

During the heating process, section “I” passes the following critical points:

• At a temperature of 210°C, the dotted line passing along the QP line intersects the point Ac 0, which marks the loss of cementite’s magnetic properties.
• t=727°C on line PG there is point Ac 1 of transformation of pearlite into austenite.
• t = 768 ° C on the PG line there is a point Ac 2 of loss of magnetic properties - magnetic iron turns into non-magnetic.
• A subsequent increase in t° until it intersects with the GS line indicates the transition of the steel alloy to a single-phase austenitic state (recrystallization ends. The temperature of this point depends on the composition of the particular metal.

Cooling does not change the point numbers and does not cause a reverse restructuring of the material.

Line “II” is built for eutectoid steels.

In industry, for heat treatment of rolled products and products, the following structures are used in furnaces:

• chamber - for small-volume workpieces;
• mines - run on gas and electricity, perform various technological tasks;
• furnaces with retractable floors - processing of large-sized rolled products and components;
• vacuum - for fast-flowing alloys, refractory metals, titanium, copper.

What is steel annealing called? Types of annealing?

Annealing is a heat treatment that results in an equilibrium structure in the alloy. There are several types of this operation, but they all include heating to a temperature depending on the grade of steel, holding and cooling at a low speed.

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How the process works

It is almost impossible to carry out such a metal processing procedure at home. This requires the use of industrial equipment and working gas mixtures. Processing takes place in several stages:

1. The nitriding process begins after grinding the workpiece and bringing it to its final dimensions.
2. Further, places that do not need to be saturated with nitrogen are protected from its effects. The protective layer is made from liquid glass or tin, which is applied to the surface of the workpiece during the electrolysis process.
3. Metal nitriding is carried out.

The last stage is the finishing of the part. This may involve additional sanding or polishing.

Heat treatment of steel 45

Thermal treatment
of steel 45
, as well as heat treatment of any other grade of steel, is carried out to improve the technical characteristics of this material.
This treatment involves initial heating of the metal and its subsequent cooling. Actually, depending on the heating time of the material and the cooling rate, heat treatment of steel 45
and other grades is divided into 3 sequential operations:

1. Annealing steel 45
2. Hardening steel 45
3. Steel tempering 45

Annealing steel 45

- this is heating the material in a special furnace to a very high temperature and its subsequent cooling, which is carried out naturally, that is, together with the furnace. There is first-order annealing, in which heating reaches critical values, but does not exceed them. There is also annealing of the second kind, in which the temperature already exceeds a critical level and leads to some changes in the structure.

One way or another, any of these methods allows you to get rid of the heterogeneity of the composition, as well as relieve the internal stress of the material and achieve a granular structure. In addition, annealing 45 steel will help reduce the hardness of the alloy, which will greatly facilitate the further processing process. It is noteworthy that annealing of the second type is divided into the following several categories, differing in their purpose and execution:

• diffusion annealing
• full annealing
• partial annealing
• isothermal annealing
• recrystallization

Typically, full annealing is used for carbon steels. The essence of this technology is that the workpieces are heated to a temperature that exceeds the critical point (upper point Ac3) by approximately +30°C to +50°C. After this, steel 45 is cooled at a slow rate from +150°C to +200°C until its temperature is equal to the temperature value in the operating range from +500°C to +550°C.

By the way, during annealing of the first and second types, the material is cooled in the furnace in which the heating was carried out. If the cooling process is already carried out in the open air, then this technology will not be called annealing of steel 45, but normalization. Since cooling occurs faster when steel is normalized, pearlite acquires a thin structure and the greatest hardness. Therefore, normalized steel is harder than annealed steel.

Steel tempering 45

Steel 45
tempered immediately after the hardening stage.
This type of heat treatment is needed in order to significantly reduce or completely remove the residual stress in the material that appeared after changing the structure through hardening. In general, tempering steel 45
also makes it possible to increase the toughness of workpieces and reduce their brittleness. However, this process slightly reduces the hardness of the steel.

45
tempering process , depending on the temperature, is carried out through:

• ovens with forced air circulation;
• special baths with saltpeter solution;
• special baths with mineral oil;
• baths filled with molten alkali.

Principle of steel tempering 45

consists in the fact that the material is initially heated to a point lower than the critical level, and then cooled. However, this heat treatment mode has several different methods of implementation, which will differ from each other depending on the cooling rate of the workpiece and its heating temperature. The tempering of carbon steels is usually classified into the following 3 categories:

1. High. The steel heating temperature will be from +350°C to +600°C to a critical point. As a rule, this method is used for metal structures.
2. Average. The processing temperature ranges from +350°C to +500°C. This method is mostly used for spring products and springs.
3. Short. The heating temperature of the workpiece does not exceed +250°C. This method is usually used to achieve high strength and wear resistance.

Table of heat treatment values ​​for steel 45

steel grade	Hardness (HRC)	Quenching temperature, °C	Temperature, °C	Hardening temperature HDTV, °C	Annealing temperature, °C	Quenching medium
Steel 45	20…25	820…860	550…600	Water
20…28	550…580
24…28	500…550
30…34	490…520
42…51	180…220
49…57	200…220	880…920
Up to 22	780…860

Application of carbon steels

Classification by area of ​​use gives a primary idea of ​​the purpose and what alloys are prescribed in certain cases.

But we should consider in more detail exactly how carbon steels behave directly “in service.”

Manufacturing of machine parts

If the goal is to produce a certain part of the mechanism, and the list of conditions includes production from carbon steels, then first they evaluate the mode in which the product will operate.

Low-carbon grades are used for elements that do not bear significant loads and are not subject to vibration or shock. This includes:

• spacer rings;
• bushings;
• covers;
• caps;
• flywheels;
• glasses for placing bearings;
• clamps and strips.

A separate category is welded frame structures and cabinet products. Here, the low strength of low-carbon steels is compensated by the thickness of the load-bearing section, and the main advantage - flexibility in welding processes - increases the overall manufacturability.

If a mechanism part will work under serious loads, then it is necessary to use medium-carbon steels with an eye to hardening or low-carbon steels, keeping in mind the need for carburization.

The list of such products will include:

• belt pulleys;
• chain sprockets;
• gears and gears, gear shafts;
• shafts and axles;
• spindles;
• levers;
• rollers;
• cylinder rods and pistons.

The technological process for producing such parts includes obtaining a workpiece (rolled section, casting, stamping or forging), mechanical and heat treatment. The finishing and finishing operations include the use of abrasives: grinding, honing, lapping, superfinishing. It is impossible to work effectively with an abrasive tool on unhardened steels due to clogging of the cutting grains.

High-carbon spring grades are used only in special cases - they are much more difficult to process and do not forgive mistakes (it will be very difficult to weld a defect). Obvious examples include winding spiral springs, manufacturing springs, producing collets, sliding guides and other parts where elastic properties and high hardness are needed.

Tool production

It is not for nothing that tool steels have earned such a loud and unambiguous name. Carbon grades with the front prefix “U” are used for the production of:

• files and needle files;
• wood cutters;
• screwdrivers, hex keys and wrenches;
• pliers, side cutters, wire cutters;
• garden shears;
• metal scissors;
• saw and hacksaw;
• axes;
• taps and dies;
• cores and impactors for marking;
• rolling rollers;
• drills, countersinks, counterbores;
• measuring instruments (calipers, micrometers);
• calibers;
• mechanical goniometers;
• equipment for stamping (dies, punches).

It should be noted that heating is a limitation in the use of carbon tool steels. They cannot be used in conditions where the temperature rises above +250..+300°C - the hardened metal is tempered and loses its strength and hardness.

In addition, carbon grades are inferior in their functional characteristics to alloyed alloys. They are unable to successfully cut or crush materials that exceed their strength parameters. Therefore, the scope of application remains hand tools, as well as cold processing of wood, plastic and soft non-ferrous metals.

In production, only forged blanks are used - casting is completely excluded, and a special hardened assortment is taken from rolled stock as a source material, intended specifically for the manufacture of tools.

The material is sharpened, drilled and milled, hardened, and finally refined by abrasive action. Grinding the product usually takes up to 40% of the total labor intensity of the work, since it is here that the tool acquires its final profile and dimensions, and during these operations the entire part of the surface layer is removed, where defects may accumulate after heat treatment.

Fastener production

According to GOST 1759.4-87, which specifies the requirements for the mechanical properties of threaded fasteners, the following is used in the production of bolts, screws and studs:

• carbon steels 10 and 20 - for strength classes 3.6, 4.6, 4.8, 5.8 and 6.8, without heat treatment;
• carbon steels 30, 35, 45 - for strength classes 5.6 and 6.6, with heat treatment;
• carbon steel 35 - for strength classes 8.8, 9.8, 10.9 and 12.9, with mandatory heat treatment.

The main technology for mass and large-scale production of hardware remains hot or cold stamping on heading machines, followed by cutting or rolling threads. For small series, you can order non-standard fasteners with production on universal metal-cutting equipment.

In the hardware industry, they often turn to a separate category of carbon grades - steels of increased machinability (with the letter “A” at the beginning of the designation). Their unique feature and difference from others is that the structure and chemical composition are as uniform as possible throughout the entire volume of rolled products. During processing on automatic machines, there should be no threat that the tool will experience a load drop due to “spotty” hardness or encounter a microdefect in the form of a non-metallic inclusion in the metal body.

Steel production

The latest metal mining technologies make it possible to produce steel. It is formed by combining carbon with iron and various gelling elements (if there is such a need). There are several ways to smelt it. Here are the most highly productive and modern:

1. Electric melting. The essence of the method is the smelting of high-quality alloy steel using arc furnaces. Such units are characterized by the fact that the metal in them melts very quickly. In addition, it is possible to obtain steel and alloys of any composition. Non-metallic inclusions, sulfur and phosphorus are contained in small quantities. The use of this method is still limited due to the high cost of electricity.
2. Converter. The basis of the process is purging liquid metal with oxygen, oxidizing cast iron and transforming it into steel. The advantages of the method include high productivity, low cost of steel, compactness and simplicity of the converter design.

Diffusion of nitrogen and carbon into the surface layer of steel

The saturation of the surface layer of a steel product with nitrogen and carbon, which is what nitrocarburization and cyanidation mean, occurs due to the diffusion of these elements into the internal structure of the steel alloy. In the surface diffusion layer of a steel product, with increasing temperature during cyanidation, the amount of nitrogen decreases, and the quantitative content of carbon, on the contrary, increases.

The carbon content in the diffusion layer can increase continuously or only up to a certain point, and it begins to decrease only at the last stages of the technological operation. Due to this feature of the carbon diffusion process, the saturation of the surface layer of a steel product with this element can be recorded at different cyanidation temperatures. The degree of saturation is greatly influenced by the carburizing ability of the environment in which this technological operation is performed.

The temperature of cyanidation affects the depth and composition of the applied layer

The parameters of the co-diffusion process are seriously affected by nitrogen, on which, in particular, they depend:

• the depth of the metal layer to which carbon diffusion will occur;
• the degree of saturation of such a layer with carbon.

Meanwhile, a high nitrogen content in the cyanidation medium can lead to the fact that the diffusion of carbon into the steel structure will not be active enough. This is explained by the fact that nitrogen, when there is too much of it in the working environment for cyanidation, promotes the formation of carbonitride phases or formations on the surface of the workpiece.

The process of saturating the surface layer of a steel product with nitrogen and carbon during cyanidation and nitrocarburization occurs in two stages, which have little in common when comparing their kinetic parameters. So, at the first stage, which can last from 60 to 180 minutes, the surface layer of the product is saturated with both nitrogen and carbon. At the next stage, individual nitrogen atoms already absorbed into the steel structure can be desorbed, that is, go back into the gas phase and escape through the surface of the alloy. During the second phase of cyanidation, the outer layer of the treated steel continues to be saturated with carbon.

Cyanide plating plant

The process of reducing the amount of nitrogen and increasing the carbon content in the composition of the processed steel, which occurs with increasing temperature during cyanidation, is linear. Moreover, such linearity is characteristic only of the upper layer of the diffusion zone, while it is not observed in the layers of the steel product located at a greater depth from its surface.

A characteristic feature of cyanidation is that carbon penetrates into the workpiece to a shallower depth than nitrogen. The depth of penetration of these elements into the steel structure depends primarily on the microstructure of the material being processed. Cyanidated products of small thickness may be more fragile when compared with parts processed using standard carburization technology.

Types of Nitrided Steels

Both carbon and alloy steels, characterized by a carbon content in the range of 0.3–0.5%, can be processed using nitriding technology. The maximum effect when using such a technological operation can be achieved if steels are subjected to it, the chemical composition of which includes alloying elements that form hard and heat-resistant nitrides. Such elements, in particular, include molybdenum, aluminum, chromium and other metals with similar characteristics. Steels containing molybdenum are not subject to such a negative phenomenon as temper brittleness, which occurs when a steel product cools slowly. After nitriding, steels of various grades acquire the following hardness:

Hardness of steels after nitriding

Alloying elements found in the chemical composition of steel increase the hardness of the nitrided layer, but at the same time reduce its thickness. The thickness of the nitrided layer is most actively influenced by chemical elements such as tungsten, molybdenum, chromium and nickel.

38Х2МУА

This is steel, which, after nitriding, has a high hardness of the outer surface. Aluminum contained in the chemical composition of such steel reduces the deformation resistance of the product, but at the same time helps to increase the hardness and wear resistance of its outer surface. The exclusion of aluminum from the chemical composition of steel makes it possible to create products of more complex configurations from it.

40X, 40HFA

These alloy steels are used for the manufacture of parts used in the machine tool industry.

30Х3М, 38ХГМ, 38ХНММА, 38ХН3МА

These steels are used for the production of products that are subjected to frequent cyclic bending loads during their operation.

30Х3МФ1

Products are made from this steel alloy, the accuracy of whose geometric parameters is subject to high demands. To impart higher hardness to parts made of this steel (these are mainly parts of fuel equipment), silicon can be added to its chemical composition.

Characteristics of some steels after nitriding

Classification and grades of improved steels

According to operating conditions, such steels are used for critical parts of gear drives - gears, gear shafts, gears, which operate under conditions of both normal and cyclic alternating loads.
Operational durability can be achieved by a combination of two heat treatment schemes: hardening of the surface layer (hardening, not only flame, but also electrical, using high-frequency currents) with a plastic-viscous inner layer, which is a kind of substrate for the surface volumes.

Typical brands:

• Structural medium-carbon (35, 45) according to GOST 1060-2012;
• Alloyed (mainly with chromium, nickel and/or molybdenum) medium-carbon structural grades 18ХГТ, 45Х, 40ХН, 45ХНМ, 35ХМ according to GOST 4543-91;
• High-speed cutting type P9 or P18 according to GOST 19265-73, used for the production of metal-cutting equipment;
• Spring springs of medium elasticity, for example, 65G according to GOST 14959-2016, which are used for the manufacture of rollers for slewing bearings of lifting cranes, or spring washers for critical purposes.

Almost all steels suitable for improvement are characterized by poor weldability.

Chromium-nickel-molybdenum-vanadium steels

In addition to molybdenum, vanadium is added, which helps to obtain a fine-grained structure. Steel grades 38KhN3MF and 36Kh2N2MFA are used for parts with large sections (1000...1500 mm and more). After quenching, bainite is formed in the core, and sorbitol is formed after tempering. Steels have high strength, ductility and toughness, and a low cold brittleness threshold. Molybdenum present in steel increases its heat resistance. These steels can be used at temperatures of 400...450 C in the manufacture of the most critical parts of turbines and compressors, which require material of special strength in large sections (forgings of shafts and solid forged turbine rotors, shafts of high-stress turbo-blowing machines, gearbox parts, etc.).

Spring steel >Next >

Areas of application

Improved steels are those used to produce:

• Critical parts of heavily loaded gear and rack and pinion transmissions operating under conditions of shock and reverse loads;
• Products with thin fabrics and cross sections that vary significantly by zone;
• Metal-cutting tools with sharp edges, mainly made of high-speed steels;
• High-precision control and measuring devices;
• Medium loaded springs and springs.

Other products made from medium-carbon steels, for which it is important to have a sorbitol microstructure, are also subject to improvement.

Improved steels

Improved steels are structural materials:

1. carbon;
2. low alloyed;
3. medium alloyed.

I	II	III
Carbon	low alloy	medium alloyed
GOST 1050-82	GOST 4543-71	GOST 4543-71
30-60	Morganzovye 30G-65G, chromium 30Х-40Х	38Х2МУА and others, but with a carbon content of no more than 0.4%
Chromium-molybdenum 30ХМ-40ХМ, 50Г2
Multicomponent 30-40KhGSA, 30-40KhMFA	45ХН2МФА

Alloy steels can be divided into a couple of categories:

• chromium;
• chromomanganese (chromansil);
• nickel-containing;
• with the addition of tungsten and molybdenum.

It is especially worth noting the poor weldability of the metals being improved. It is carried out by implementing individual measures that maintain the required characteristics.

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Hard carburization of steel

For hard cementation, the parts are placed in a box with a carburizer. A carburizer is a carburizing agent, usually charcoal with various additives. At a temperature of 900-950 º, oxygen in the air combines with carbon in charcoal to form carbon monoxide. Upon contact with iron, carbon monoxide decomposes into carbon dioxide and atomic carbon, which is absorbed by the surface of the part. Hard cementation is used in small-scale and individual production, for example, in rural forges.

Grade 45 steel: application

Grade 45 steel is widely used in industry, in particular, it is used for the manufacture of shafts (camshafts and crankshafts), gears, dugouts, spindles, cams, cylinders, etc. 45 metal makes it possible to obtain normalized, improved surfaces that are characterized by increased strength. If it is necessary to improve the characteristics of finished products by an order of magnitude, technologists use metal grade 45, alloyed with chromium - 45x (chromium share 0.8-1.1%), or cast steel 45L.

Steel 45 is considered a difficult-to-weld material, but it is not characterized by temper brittleness. This is a fairly significant factor when creating structures of complex shapes and configurations. Welding of this metal is carried out in 2 ways: KTS and RDS.

Mechanical properties after improvement

For some of the most commonly used brands, they are tabulated:

Material	Tensile strength, MPa	Plastic limit, MPa	Relative extension, %	Impact strength, MJ/m2	Cold brittleness range, 0C
45	610	370	16	0,5	0…-75
40X	1000	800	9	0,4	-20…-60
30ХГСА	1100	850	10	0,5	-20…-60
40ХН	1000	800	11	0,7	-30…-100
40ХН2МА	1100	950	12	0,8	-40…-120

Chrome-nickel steels

They have high hardenability, strength, and good toughness. They are used for the manufacture of large products of complex configurations operating under vibration and dynamic loads. Nickel, especially in combination with molybdenum, greatly reduces the cold brittleness threshold. The higher the nickel content, the lower the permissible temperature for using steel and the higher its resistance to brittle fracture. It is recommended to introduce up to 3% Ni. With a higher content, a lot of retained austenite is obtained. For heavily loaded parts with a cross-sectional diameter of up to 70 mm, steel grades 40ХН, 45ХН, 50ХН are used.

Chrome steels

For moderately loaded small-sized parts, chromium steel grades 30Х, 38Х, 40Х, 50Х are used. With increasing carbon content, strength increases, but ductility and toughness decrease.

The hardenability of steels is low and to increase it it is alloyed with boron (0.002...0.005%). The critical diameter of 35ХР steel when quenched in water is 30…45 mm, and in oil 20…30 mm.

The introduction of 0.1...0.2% vanadium (40HFA) increases the mechanical properties of chromium steels, mainly toughness, due to better deoxidation and grain refinement without increasing hardenability. These steels are used for products operating under increased dynamic loads. The mechanical properties of some steels to be improved after heat treatment are given in Table 10.

Types of steel processing: annealing

Annealing is one of the methods of high-temperature processing of steel, which the HDTV installation can handle perfectly. Its principle is based on heating the metal to a given temperature, holding it, and then slowly cooling it. Steel is annealed in order to level the structure of the metal, improve ductility, and also reduce metal stress if any other heat treatment processes were carried out before annealing. Annealing, like other types of heat treatment of steel, is divided into subtypes:

1. Annealing of the first kind. During this type of heat treatment, recrystallization, called phase transformations, does not occur. Even if these transformations take place, they will not affect the final results at all. First-order annealing can be performed at a temperature that is lower or higher than the temperature of phase transformations.
2. Diffusion annealing. Otherwise called homogenization. During this type of annealing, the product is kept for a long time in an environment with a temperature above 950 degrees. Diffusion annealing allows you to eliminate or reduce the chemical heterogeneity of steel, which negatively affects the metal, reducing its ductility and increasing brittleness. The holding time of the product during homogenization is determined based on the parameters and grade of steel, but ranges from 50-100 hours.
3. Annealing of the second kind. During annealing of the second type, the steel is heated to a temperature that will be above points AC1 or AC3 (see image 1), then holding and slow cooling occurs. As a result of slow cooling, phase transformations inside the metal lead to an almost equilibrium state of the metal structure.
4. Full annealing. This type of annealing is also called high. It is produced by heating the metal at a temperature that will be 30-50 degrees lower than the upper critical point AC3; the product is also maintained at this temperature, and then slowly cooled along with the installation. Complete annealing allows for complete recrystallization of the metal, obtaining a pearlite structure.
5. Incomplete annealing. Before heat treatment, steel is too hard and difficult to process. There is metal tension within the structure. Incomplete annealing is used to eliminate this drawback in the form of a decrease in the hardness of the metal. During incomplete annealing, the steel is heated while maintaining the temperature range between points AC1 and AC3. After partial annealing, the metal is completely freed from internal stress, and the steel becomes more pliable.
6. Spheroidizing annealing. High-carbon hypereutectoid steel with a lamellar pearlite structure is very difficult to process with cutting tools, so spheroidizing annealing must be carried out to change the structure to granular pearlite. To do this, the metal is heated below point AC1, kept at this temperature for several hours, and then cooled. In image 2 you can notice the annealing pattern for granular pearlite.
7. Isometric annealing. It is produced to produce a ferrite-pearlite mixture from austenite at a constant temperature. Isometric annealing involves heating the steel 30-50 degrees above the AC3 or ACm points, holding it at this temperature and further cooling it to the pearlite transformation temperature, which is usually 620-680 degrees, and then holding it again until the final transformation of austenite into pearlite.
8. Recrystallization annealing. Otherwise called softening annealing. Recrystallization annealing is performed on products that have been subject to metal work hardening and whose crystal lattice has become distorted. Softening annealing is carried out at a temperature below the AC1 point, that is, 630-650 degrees.
9. Bright annealing. Produced in order to maintain a shiny and clean surface of steel sheets, strips, rods, etc.

As you can see, there are many types of annealing that allow you to achieve the desired changes in the structure of the metal. The HDTV installation is capable of annealing steel with high precision and good quality, bringing its structure to the desired state.

Cementation of Low Carbon Steel

Although mild steel is relatively soft, it can be made significantly harder through a process called case hardening. This heat treatment process literally causes the steel to absorb carbon from a carbon-rich solid, liquid or gaseous environment. Typically, carbon is absorbed only by the surface layer of steel. This gives a very hard surface layer to the part, which is useful, for example, for wear resistance. The core of the part remains low-carbon and therefore plastic and viscous. This is very favorable for reliability and resistance to brittle fracture for the part as a whole.

What is the best cyanidation temperature?

It is important to consider many factors that will affect the operation of the device. With low-temperature cyanidation, the metal heats up at minimum levels

Hot cyanidation involves the use of baths with an average temperature of about 850 degrees.

On average, cyanidation takes up to 6 hours, so the first result is visible quite quickly. At low temperatures, less deformation occurs, so products retain their geometry and functionality. In some cases, low temperatures are not enough, so it is recommended to use hot cyanidated parts.

Why was it necessary to improve the properties of metals?

The fact is that today the main way to give steel (and other metals) useful properties such as strength, wear resistance, and so on is a process called “alloying.” Alloying is, in simple terms, the addition of additional substances (impurities) to the composition of metals to change the physical and chemical properties of the required material. Today, traditional alloying methods have reportedly exhausted their technological potential. Therefore, metals are increasingly exposed to beams of charged particles, plasma streams and laser radiation in order to achieve the desired results.

Ion implantation (ion doping) is one of the methods that allows you to change the elemental composition, microstructure and morphology of surface layers, which determine properties such as wear resistance, corrosion resistance, strength, etc. Tomsk scientists have developed a new method of ion implantation, which dramatically expands the scope of the method in industry. According to the head of the laboratory of high-intensity ion implantation, Alexander Ryabchikov, they were able to experimentally increase the wear resistance of stainless steel by more than a hundred times.

Experimental installation to increase the strength of steel

In addition, this technology makes it possible to produce parts and products with the required specific surface properties. For example, the barrier layer (that is, the outer layer of the product) is formed by ion alloying zirconium with titanium, which prevents the penetration of oxygen. This can be used to increase service life and safety in operation, for example in nuclear power plants and the use of such metals in nuclear reactors.

In this way, scientists believe, it will be possible to achieve better results in creating high-strength and wear-resistant metals. The results obtained in the laboratory confirm this hypothesis. The created steel samples have a surface layer several hundred micrometers deep, while other ion alloying methods can only achieve a depth of several tens of nanometers. The authors emphasize that the use of new technology will make it possible to produce metals with unique properties, which will make it possible to improve the quality of products several dozen times.

conclusions

The modern achievements of companies that are members of the VDEh Steel Institute described above mainly concern increasing the safety and stability of processes, improving the quality of steel, implementing the modular principle of organizing production, and ensuring production flexibility of enterprises. The development strategy of companies in a traditional format should aim to further strengthen their positions in the global market. In the future, thin slab casting will remain an extremely promising area of ​​research and production efforts. It is necessary to improve this technology and introduce it into everyday production practice. It is of great interest to observe the operation of the thin strip casting and direct continuous strip casting plants currently under construction. However, only future research will definitively assess the economic benefits of these processes.

• T. Bolender
• R. Fandrich
• HA. Yungblut
• G. Kemper
• R. Muller
• H.P. Narzt
• G. Ney
• H. Schnitzer

Despite the ongoing global financial and economic crisis, in the coming years, further growth in production capacity for continuous casting of traditional profiles - blooms, slabs, sections and beams - is expected. At the same time, new technological casting processes, such as the casting of thin slabs and thin strips, will be further developed. All continuous casting processes have different potentials in terms of customer satisfaction, product quality and productivity. For technology to remain competitive, it must constantly improve. Based on this, it is possible to identify the main challenges facing metallurgy in the future: production of ultra-clean steels with excellent microstructure and high surface quality; development of new steel grades; defect-free product strategy; guaranteed quality systems combined with high productivity and good production flexibility.

• continuous casting,
• quality,
• microstructure,
• slab,
• band,
• crystallizer,
• equipment,
• refractories,
• performance.

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