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Title: Effect of heat treatment on microstructure and mechanical properties in 52100 steel

Journal Article · · Metall. Trans., A; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02811705· OSTI ID:5854889

An investigation was carried out to study the microstructure and mechanical properties of isothermally transformed AISI E 52100 steel. Heat treatments consisting of single and two cycle austenitization followed by isothermal holding resulted in duplex structures of martensite and bainite. In addition, high temperature austenitization led to large amounts of retained austenite at room temperature. Conventional oil quenching treatments were also performed for purposes of comparison. It was found that isothermal holding above M/sub S/ after single cycle austenitization resulted in a microstructure which had strength and toughness properties equivalent to quenched and tempered 52100. The two cycle austenitization treatment followed by isothermal holding led to a doubling of the fracture toughness at equivalent hardness and ultimate tensile strength levels relative to the properties of conventional quenched and tempered 52100 steel. The mechanical stability of retained austenite, present after two cycle austenitization, was examined. Although it was found that the presence of unstable retained austenite was associated with the best combination of strength and toughness, it cannot be unequivocally stated that the retained austenite influenced the mechanical properties.

OSTI ID:
5854889
Journal Information:
Metall. Trans., A; (United States), Vol. 10A:11
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English