Study of the Effect of Interrupted Quenches on a Thermomechanically Processed High Carbon Steel

摘要

The effects of short quench interruptions on the percentage retained austenite and the hardness and microstructure were investigated for AISI 52100 steel. Effects were observed for two starting microstructures: an as-received, spheroidize-annealed material, and a fine-grained, warm rolled material. Results indicate that retained austenite and hardness were independent of the quench interruption temperature. The warm rolled material had a higher percentage retained austenite as well as a higher hardness for all quench interruption temperatures. This is attributed to a finer starting microstructure and the retention of refinement throughout the heat treatment process. Evidence of preferred orientation was found in the case of the material showing prior warm rolling.