Inverse quench-hardening phenomena in steels and their origin
by Kyozo Arimoto
International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties (IJMMP), Vol. 11, No. 3/4, 2016

Abstract: The appearance of lower hardness at the surface than at the core in steels after through hardening is known as 'inverse quench-hardening'. Pioneering work was performed in the 1970s by devising a simple test method where cylindrical specimens were cooled by air and sodium chloride solution sequentially. The hardening mechanism in the same specimens as the pioneering work was examined using a finite element simulation method. However, it has not been completed for lack of experimental quenching cooling curves for the comparisons. In this study, the same experiments as those of the pioneering work were conducted to explain the origin of the phenomenon thoroughly. Experimental cooling curves showed a temperature rise due to recalescence as predicted by the simulation. The inverse quench-hardening phenomenon was also found in the measured and simulated hardness distributions of the specimens. Finally, the origin of the phenomenon was discussed based on results obtained from this study and literature.

Online publication date: Wed, 14-Sep-2016

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Microstructure and Materials Properties (IJMMP):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com