Optimization of Deep Cryogenic Treatment Process for 100Cr6 Bearing Steel Using the Grey-Taguchi Method

摘要

This article presents a method for optimizing the deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) process parameters for 100Cr6 bearing steel, based on the Taguchi method with Grey relational analysis. The DCT parameters considered for the optimization included the cooling rate, soaking temperature, soaking time, and tempering temperature, with the quality targets of dimensional stability, wear resistance, and hardness. As per the Grey-Taguchi technique, nine experimental trials based on the L_9 (3~4) orthogonal array were conducted. The optimum parameters for 100Cr6 bearing steel were arrived at based on Grey relational analysis. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and soaking temperature was identified as the most influential factor in deep cryogenic treatment of 100Cr6 bearing steel. The improvement in dimensional stability, wear resistance, and hardness of the deep cryotreated samples under optimized treatment conditions was 13.77, 49.02, and 19.35%, respectively. A microstructural examination was carried out to identify the possible mechanism of cryogenic treatment in improving the properties of the 100Cr6 bearing steel. A confirmation test was subsequently conducted to validate the test results.