This paper examines how the initial austenite grain size in quench and partitioning (Q-P) processes influences the final mechanical properties of Q-P steels. Differences in austenite grain size distribution may result, for example, from uneven heating rates of semi-finished products prior to a forging process. In order to quantify this influence, a carefully defined heat treatment of a cylindrical specimen made of the Q-P-capable 42SiCr steel was performed in a dilatometer. Different austenite grain sizes were adjusted by a pre-treatment before the actual Q-P process. The resulting mechanical properties were determined using the upsetting test and the corresponding microstructures were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These investigations show that a larger austenite grain size prior to Q-P processing leads to a slightly lower strength as well as to a coarser martensitic microstructure in the Q-P-treated material.
CITATION STYLE
Härtel, S., Awiszus, B., Graf, M., Nitsche, A., Böhme, M., Wagner, M. F. X., … Masek, B. (2019). Influence of austenite grain size on mechanical properties after quench and partitioning treatment of a 42SiCr steel. Metals, 9(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/met9050577
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