Observation and Analysis of the Microstructure in CarburizedSurface Layer of Steel 20Cr2Ni4A Treated with ConventionalAnd Rare Earth Carburizing Processes

Observation and analysis with TEM show that the fine granular dispersed carbides in hypereutectoid zone of steel 20Cr2Ni4A are distributed in the matrix of large number of lath martensite after rare earth carburizing. But while treating by conventional carburization and double quench hardening the retained carbides are finer and more dispersive, and its matrix is perfectly twin martersite. The different micrcotructures of matrix around carbide are formed with different kinds of carburization processes.

Effect of Valence Electron Structure on Temper Process and Hardness of the Supersaturated Carburized Layer

By measuring the hardness of carburized layer of a new type supersaturated carburizing steel （35Cr3SiMnMoV） at different temper temperature for 2 h, the relationship curve between the carburized layer hardness and the temper temperature is established. The result indicates that the hardness goes down firstly, then up and down, just like a wave consistent with the temperature increase. A secondary hardening peak appears at 570 ℃ or so. Based on Empirical Election Theory （EET） of Solids and Molecules, the valence electron structures （VESs） containing α-Fe-C, α-Fe-C-Me segregation structure units and carbide are calculated. The laws of temper process and hardness change with the temper temperature are explained, and the fact that reconstruction of θ-Fe3C is prior to that of special carbide at high tempering is analyzed with the phase structure formation factor, S, being taken into consideration. Therefore, the laws of temper process and hardness change of supersaturated carburized layer at different temper temperature can be traced back to valence electron structure （VES） level of alloy phase.

Transformation Plasticity─The Effect on Metallo-Thermo-Mechanical Simulation of Carburized Quenching Process

Theory of metallo-thermo-mechamics and the developed CAE code offer a powerful tool to simulate residual stresses and distortion during heat treatment processes, in which the transformation plasticity is one of factors to be considered being coupled with stress/strain and metallic structure. It is pointed out in this paper that, especially in the case of carburized quenching, transformation plasticity plays very important role on the distortion, which is verified by axisymmetric finite element, employing heat treatment simulation code "HEARTS". Simulated results with the careful consideration on the effect of transformation plasticity reveal to improve remarkably the accuracy of prediction of the displacement and the mode of distortion, compensating the discrepancy between experimental and calculated results. Attention is also paid on the difference in transformation plasticity and conventional plasticity in simulating the volume fraction, stress and strain in ring-shaped specimen during quenching. Moreover some discussions are made on practical use of the effect, and recent experimental results on the coefficient of transformation plasticity are presented.

Stress Field Analysis of Carburized Specimen and Its Numerical Simulation

Residual stress field of carburized specimens was determined experimentally and simulated by using a finite element method (FEM). The experimental results show that the compressive residual stress is formed in carburized layer of the specimen. The peak value of compressive stress appears inside of carburized layer. The calculated results are tallied with the measured ones quite well, which proves the FEM model used for simulation is correct. According to this model, the stress field of carburized specimen during quenching process was also analyzed in this paper.

Direct reduction of carburized pre-reduced pellets by microwave heating

A new iron-making process using carburized pre-reduced iron ore pellets and microwave heating is investigated. The pre-reduced pellets, with a porous structure, and fine particles are carburized homogeneously at 400-650 ℃ in a CO atmosphere. The carburized carbon not only acts reaction as a reduction agent, but also absorbs microwave in the reduction process. Hence, the carburized pre-reduced pellets can be rapidly reduced by microwave heating. There are three procedures involved in the process, namely, gas-based pre-reduction, low-temperatttre carburization and deep reduction by microwave heating. Carburized pre-reduced iron ore pellets show a rapid temperature rise that is twice as fast as the results for pre-reduced pellets in the laboratory. This not only improves the efficiency of the microwave heating, but also accelerates the reduction of iron oxides. The temperature of the pre-reduced pellets rises to 1050 ℃ in 45 min when the carburization rate is 2.02%, and the metallization rate and compressive strength reach 94.24% and 1725 N/pellet, respectively.

A Study on Wear Resistance, Hardness and Impact Behaviour of Carburized Fe-Based Powder Metallurgy Parts for Automotive Applications

In order to study the mechanical and triboloical properties of powder metallurgy (PM) parts under different process parameters, the specimens were used in pack carburizing processes. These specimens made from industrial test pieces were carburized in a powder pack for about two to five hours at a temperature of about 850?C - 950?C. The effects of austenitization and quenching are investigated on some specimens. Also the wear tests are performed by means of a pin-on-disc tribotester using roll bearing steel as the counterface material. The results indicate that by appropriate selection of process parameters, it is possible to obtain high wear resistance along with moderate toughness. It is concluded that surface treatments increases the wear resistance and performance of PM parts in service conditions. By increasing the role of PM in industry which resulted from their ability to produce the complex shapes, high production rate, and dimension accuracy of final products, they need to be heat treated. Carburizing method was selected as a surface hardening method for PM parts. Results of wear and hardness show considerable enhancement in mechanical properties of PM parts.

Research on Eddy Current Testing System of the Carburized Layer Depth of 20CrMnTi Steel

In this paper the carbon distribution in the carburized layer of 20CrMnTi steel was studied. The relationship between the depth of a carburized layer and the surface carbon distribution was established. Eddy current testing system of the case depth of this carburized steel was built by using ANSYS software as second development platform.

Numerical Simulation of Carbon Concentration Profiles in Case Layer of Steel 20 RE-Carburized in Multipurpose Furnace with Drip-Feed Atmosphere

The carburizing process has been successfully carried out in multipurpose furnace employing the drip-feed atmosphere with the addition of rare earth (RE). The carbon transfer coefficients (BRE) and mean diffusion coefficient (DRE) were calculated respectively based on the kinetics of the specimens weigh gain per unit area and the carburized layer growth. The results show that the BRE and DRE are all increased on basis of the incorporation of rare earth. In addition, the mathematical models of the carbon concentration profile under different carburizing conditions and the carbon diffusion coefficient DSRE (at x=0 for carburizing time t>0) have been deduced using the profile simulation method. Computer simulation results show that the simulated curves coincide quite well with the experimental data.

INTERGRANULAR EMBRITTLEMENT IN PLASMA CARBURIZED LAYER

This paper deals with the cause of intergranular fracture occurred in the retained austenitic region in plasma carburized layer.The results show that the presence of retained austenite, which has a good effect on the impact toughness,has no relation to this embrittlement.Analy- sis by Auger electron spectroscopy shows that the impurities S and P segregate at the grain boundaries is the main reason of the intergranular embrittlement in carburized layer. However,the segregation of P and S can be removed by reheating and quenching treatment.

FATIGUE BEHAVIOR OF CARBURIZED STEEL BEFORE CRACK INITIATION

The fatigue behavior of quenched plus tempered carburized steel before crack initiation has been observed in tension-tension fatigue tests.It was found that fatigue softening and fatigue hardening coexist in this steel.A transition region near the ease depth of the steel divides the cross section of a round speeimen into two parts:the softened part outwards and the hardened part inwards.The degree of fatigue softening in the case and fatigue hardening in the core is increased with the maximum applied cyclic stress and the number of cycles.

On the Plasma (ion) Carburized Layer of High Nitrogen Austenitic Stainless Steel

The manganese concentration of austenitic stainless steel decreases from the inner layer towards the surface of the plasma (ion) carburized layer due to the evaporation of manganese from the specimen surface. The carbon concentration in the carburized layer is influenced by alloyed elements such as Cr, Ni, Si, and Mo, as well as Nitrogen. This study examined the effects of nitrogen on the properties of the carburized layer of high nitrogen stainless steel. Plasma (ion) carburizing was carried out for 14.4 ks at 1303 K in an atmosphere of CH4+H2 gas mixtures under a pressure of 350 Pa. The plasma carburized layer of the high nitrogen stainless steel was thinner than that of an austentric stainless steel containing no nitrogen. This suggested that the nitrogen raised the activity of carbon in the plasma carburized layer, GDOES measurement indicated that the nitrogen level in the layer did not vary after plasma (ion) carburizing.

Wear and mechanical properties of carburized AISI 8620 steel produced by powder metallurgy

The effect of carburization on the tensile strength and wear resistance of AISI 8620 steel produced via powder metallurgy was investigated.Alloys 1 and 2(with 0.2wt%C and 0.25wt%C,respectively)were first pressed at 700 MPa and then sintered at 1300,1400,or 1500℃for 1 h.The ideal sintering temperature of 1400℃was determined.Afterward,Alloys 1 and 2 sintered at 1400℃were carburized at 925℃for 4 h.The microstructure characterization of alloys was performed via optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.The mechanical and wear behavior of carburized and noncarburized alloys were investigated via hardness,tensile,and wear tests.After carburization,the ultimate tensile strength of Alloys 1 and 2 increased to 134.4%and 138.1%,respectively.However,the elongation rate of Alloys 1 and 2 decreased to 62.6%and 64.7%,respectively.The wear depth values of Alloy 2 under noncarburized and carburized conditions and a load of 30 N were 231.2 and 100.1μm,respectively.Oxidative wear changed to abrasive wear when the load transitioned from 15 to 30 N.

One Approach to Eddy Current Testing of Carburized Parts

Through DOE(design of experiment),ЕТ(eddy current testing)is included and proven as a quality indicator of carburizing,quenching and tempering of hydraulic motor parts.A method is suggested for calibrating NDT(non-destructive testing)by means of combined representation of regression models in the field of the technological factors of heat treatment and contour control charts.A method is presented here for choosing the working frequency for ET.It is also suggested that experimental design be considered a basic building element in the methodology of carburized parts ET.This article also presents a methodology for conducting eddy current testing in industrial settings.

Effect of carbon on tribological property of plasma carburized TiAl based alloy

Plasma carburization at two different methane-to-argon gas ratios (5:5 and 6:5) was carried out on the cast TiAl based alloy of Ti-46.5Al-2.5V-1Cr (mole fraction, %) in order to enhance its wear resistance. The results show that after carburization under both carburizing atmospheres, Ti2AlC and TiC are the main carbides in the carburized layer and the value of surface hardness reaches more than HK 822, but for the carburized TiAl treated at CH4:Ar of 5:5, the surface carbon concentration is higher and the carburized depth is slightly thicker than that of alloy carburized at CH4:Ar of 6:5. The result of the ball-on-disk test against hardening-steel counter bodies shows that the wear resistance of the TiAl based alloy carburized under two different carburizing atmospheres is improved compared with non-carburized TiAl. The tribological property is related to the carbon content, and the carburized layer obtained at CH4:Ar of 5:5 possesses a stable friction coefficient, lower volume loss or wear rate and narrow wear scar. The characteristic of the carburized layer was examined by using optical microscopy, glow discharge spectrum and micro-hardness tester.

Effects of Carburized Parts on Residual Stresses of Thin-Rimmed Spur Gears with Symmetric Web Arrangements Due to Case-Carburizing

This paper presents a study on effects of carburized parts on residual stresses of thin-rimmed spur gears with symmetric web arrangements due to the case-carburizing. The carbon content of each element of the FEM gear model due to carburizing was obtained according to Vickers hardness Hv - carbon content C% and C% - d (distance from surface) charts. A heat conduction analysis and an elastic-plastic stress analysis during the case-carburizing process of thin-rimmed spur gears with symmetric web arrangements were carried out for various case-carburizing conditions by using the three-dimensional finite element method (3D-FEM) program developed by authors, and then residual stresses were obtained. The effects of the carburized part, the web structure, and the rim thickness on the residual stress were determined.

不同工艺渗碳淬火和深冷处理后20CrNi2Mo轴承钢的组织与性能

对正火态20CrNi2Mo轴承钢分别进行渗碳油淬+回火、二次渗碳油淬+回火、渗碳气淬+渗碳油淬+回火等3种渗碳淬火+回火处理以及在上述工艺的回火前增加深冷处理的渗碳淬火+深冷+回火处理,研究了不同工艺处理后轴承钢的显微组织、力学性能和耐磨性能。结果表明:渗碳淬火+回火后轴承钢的组织均为针状马氏体+残余奥氏体+碳化物,渗碳气淬+渗碳油淬+回火后的马氏体更细小,残余奥氏体更少,此工艺下轴承钢的硬度、抗拉强度和断后伸长率均高于其他2种渗碳淬火+回火工艺,磨痕宽度和深度较小;与渗碳淬火+回火相比,渗碳淬火+深冷+回火处理后轴承钢中奥氏体含量减少,硬度提高,磨痕宽度和深度减小,并且在200 N载荷下的磨损质量损失明显减少;较优的工艺是渗碳气淬+渗碳油淬+深冷+回火。

20CrMnTiH钢渗碳齿轮弯曲疲劳性能研究

利用扫描电镜、金相显微镜、疲劳试验机和硬度计等测试手段研究20CrMnTiH钢渗碳齿轮弯曲疲劳性能。研究表明:20CrMnTiH钢渗碳齿轮主要沿齿根部位断裂。随着载荷的增加,弯曲疲劳寿命降低,当载荷在50~100kN时,齿轮疲劳寿命增加数倍,建议生产应用在此范围载荷内能发挥该材料最佳性能。

18CrNiMo7-6渗碳合金钢电解抛光参数研究

为提高18CrNiMo7-6渗碳合金钢表面变质层的电解抛光加工质量,开展18CrNiMo7-6渗碳合金钢表面变质层不同渗碳层深度下的电解抛光工艺分析与试验。结果表明,选择浓磷酸与浓硫酸混合溶液作为电解液,温度为40~45℃,首先研究18CrNiMo7-6渗碳合金钢表层试样在不同抛光电压、抛光电流及抛光时间工艺参数下电解抛光后的表面质量,得到18CrNiMo7-6渗碳合金钢表层的最佳电解抛光参数为10 V、1.8~1.9 A、70 s;再对得到的表层最佳参数进行微调,得到不同渗碳深度下试样的最佳电解抛光参数,次表层电解抛光参数为10 V、1.6~1.7 A、65 s,心部电解抛光参数为10 V、1.5~1.6A、60 s。

Effect of solid carburization on surface microstructure and hardness of Ti-6Al-4V alloy and(TiB+La_2O_3)/Ti-6Al-4V composite

Solid carburization was employed to improve the hardness of Ti-6Al-4V alloy and （TiB＋La2O3）/Ti composite. The samples wrapped in graphite powder were placed in sealed quartz tubes, followed by solid carburization at 1227 K for 24 h. Microstructure and phase analysis indicated that TiC reinforcements and Ti-C solid solutions were introduced after solid carburization. Moreover, the volume fraction of equiaxedα-Ti phase in diffusion layer decreased obviously with increasing sample depth. Hardness testing results indicated that both the carburized surfaces performed significant improvement of about 100% in micro-hardness compared with untreated materials. The variation of carbon contents with increasing sample depth resulted in a hardened layer of 300 μm in the carburized samples. Meanwhile, slight influence on the internal microstructure and hardness indicated that solid carburization was an effective method in strengthening the surface of titanium alloy and titanium matrix composite.

基于表面裂纹萌生与扩展的疲劳寿命预测模型

为了预测表面裂纹萌生与扩展的疲劳寿命,分别对渗碳CrMn钢的光滑试样与渗氮CrNi钢的光滑、缺口试样开展超高周疲劳试验,观察试样的疲劳缺口,分析试样的S-N曲线及疲劳损伤机理。考虑应力比、疲劳缺口系数与残余应力3种因素,构建更准确的裂纹萌生寿命预测模型,并对表面失效的裂纹萌生寿命进行预测。用Israel提出的裂纹扩展寿命预测模型计算裂纹扩展寿命,再将预测的裂纹萌生与扩展寿命相结合得到总疲劳寿命。结果表明:裂纹萌生寿命预测模型的预测结果与试验结果基本一致,构建的新模型较可靠。计算的总疲劳寿命与试验疲劳寿命相比,绝大部分都小于3倍误差,寿命预测较精准。