Effect of quenching process on microstructure and mechanical properties of low alloy wear-resistant steel

    
    Low alloy wear-resistant steel is a kind of modern material that is widely used in various fields such as construction, machinery, and engineering. It has excellent mechanical properties and has been used in many large-scale engineering structures. The quenching process is an important step in increasing the mechanical properties and extending the service life of the steel. The aim of this article is to discuss the effect of the quenching process on the microstructure and mechanical properties of low alloy wear-resistant steel.
    
    Nucleation, diffusion, and quenching are essential in terms of steel surface hardening. Nucleation is the process of inducing and verifying nucleation sites. Diffusion is the movement of atoms and molecules in the solid state and liquid state and is the process of solid state structure reconstruction. Quenching is the controlling factor to improve the properties of the material, and is conducted by a rapid cooling process to obtain a predetermined hardness and mechanical properties. Quenching is often used in the production of wear-resistant steel.
    
    Generally, the quenching of low alloy wear-resistant steel follows a three-step process - heating, quenching, and tempering. The temperature of the heating process is between 800 and 860℃. The quenching temperature should be as low as possible, and the temperature should be between 790 and 815℃. The tempering temperature should not exceed 300℃, and the temperature should be between 200 and 250℃.
    
    The quenching of low alloy wear-resistant steel can significantly improve the mechanical properties, especially the hardness and impact toughness, of the wear-resistant steel. Quenching also greatly changes the microstructure of the steel. When cooled, the steel crystal structure changes from a stacking arrangement to a figure-8 arrangement which is known as martensite. Martensite is a hard, strong, brittle form of steel with no ductility or toughness. The figure-8 structure significantly increases the strength and wear resistance of the steel.
    
    The quenching process also affects the material's thermal and chemical characteristics. The quenching process can increase the hardness of the wear-resistant steel, improve its wear resistance and fatigue strength, and improve its resistance to Impact Loads. The quenched workpieces have good surface performance, and the residual stress level is low.
    
    In conclusion, the quenching process can be used to significantly improve the mechanical properties and microstructure of low alloy wear-resistant steel. The quenching temperature should be as low as possible, and the tempering temperature should not exceed 300℃. The quenching process can increase the hardness of the steel, improve its wear resistance, fatigue strength, and impact resistance. In addition, the quenched surface has good performance, and the residual stress level is low.

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