known.

For this calculation, diagrams for every ratio r=R from the center to the surface should be used. The following procedure should be repeated with every diagram. At the point where the horizontal line (indicating the bar diameter in question) intersects the relevant H curve, the vertical line gives the corresponding distance from the quenched end on the Jominy curve from which the corresponding hardness can be read and plotted at the corresponding fractional depth. Because some simplifying assumptions are made when using Lamont diagrams, hardness predictions are approximate. Experience has shown that for small cross sections and for the surface of largediameter bars, the actual hardness is usually higher than predicted.

5.5.2 STEEL SELECTION BASED

ON

HARDENABILITY

The selection of a steel grade (and heat) for a part to be heat-treated depends on the hardenability that will yield the required hardness at the specified point of the cross section after quenching under known conditions. Because Jominy hardenability curves and hardenability bands are used as the basis of the selection, the method described here is confined to those steel grades with known hardenability bands or Jominy curves. This is true first of all for structural steels for hardening and tempering and also for steels for case hardening (to determine core hardenability). If the diameter of a shaft and the bending fatigue stresses it must be able to undergo are known, engineering analysis will yield the minimum hardness at a particular point on the cross section that must be achieved by hardening and tempering. Engineering analysis may show that distortion minimization requires a less severe quenchant, e.g., oil. Adequate toughness after tempering (because the part may also be subject to impact loading) may require a tempering temperature of, e.g., 5008C. The steps in the steel selection process are as follows: Step 1. Determine the necessary minimum hardness after quenching that will satisfy the required hardness after tempering. This is done by using a diagram such as the one shown in Figure 5.52. For example, if a hardness of 35 HRC is required after hardening and then tempering at 5008C at the critical cross-sectional diameter, the minimum hardness after quenching must be 45 HRC.

60 As-quenched hardness, HRC 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 15

Tempered 500C/ 60 min Tempered 600C/ 60 min

20 25 30 35 40 Tempered hardness, HRC

45

FIGURE 5.52 Correlation between the hardness after tempering and the hardness after quenching for structural steels (according to DIN 17200).

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

70 Hardness, HRC 60 50 40 30

%C 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2

30

40

50 60 70 80 Portion of martensite %

90

100

FIGURE 5.53 Correlation between as-quenched hardness, carbon content, and percent martensite (according to Hodge and Orehovski). (From Metals Handbook, 9th ed., Vol. 1, ASM International, Metals Park, OH, 1978, pp. 473474, p. 481.)

Alternatively, if the carbon content of the steel and the percentage of as-quenched martensite at the critical point of the cross section is known, then by using a diagram that correlates hardness with percent carbon content and as-quenched martensite content (see Figure 5.53), the as-quenched hardness may then be determined. If 80% martensite is desired at a critical position of the cross section and the steel has 0.37% C, a hardness of 45 HRC can be expected. Figure 5.53 can also be used to determine the necessary carbon content of the steel when a particular percentage of martensite and a particular hardness after quenching are required. Step 2. Determine whether a certain steel grade (or heat) will provide the required asquenched hardness at a critical point of the cross section. For example, assume that a shaft is 45 mm in diameter and that the critical point on the cross section (which was determined from engineering analysis of resultant stresses) is three fourths of the radius. To determine if a particular steel grade, e.g., AISI 4140H, will satisfy the requirement of 45 HRC at (3=4)R after oil quenching, the diagram shown in Figure 5.54a should be used. This diagram correlates cooling rates along the Jominy end-quench specimen and at four characteristic locations (critical points) on the cross section of a round bar when quenched in oil at 1 m=s agitation rate (see the introduction to Section 5.5 and Figure 5.44). Figure 5.54a shows that at (3=4)R the shaft having a diameter of 45 mm will exhibit the hardness that corresponds to the hardness at a distance of 6.5=16 in. (13=32 in.) from the quenched end of the Jominy specimen. Step 3. Determine whether the steel grade represented by its hardenability band (or a certain heat represented by its Jominy hardenability curve) at the specified distance from the quenched end exhibits the required hardness. As indicated in Figure 5.54b, the minimum hardenability curve for AISI 4140H will give a hardness of 49 HRC. This means that AISI 4140H has, in every case, enough hardenability for use in the shaft example above. This graphical method for steel selection based on hardenability, published in 1952 by Weinmann and coworkers, can be used as an approximation. Its limitation is that the diagram shown in Figure 5.54a provides no information on the quality of the quenching oil and its temperature. Such diagrams should actually be prepared experimentally for the exact conditions that will be encountered in the quenching bath in the workshop; the approximation will be valid only for that bath.

5.5.3 COMPUTER-AIDED STEEL SELECTION BASED ON HARDENABILITY

As in other fields, computer technology has made it possible to improve the steel selection process, making it quicker, more intuitive, and even more precise. One example, using a

2006 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.