1.

0 Objective : The objective of this experiment is to find out the relation between hardness and microstructure to the cooling rate of the specimen after been heated (quenching) using the Jominy test method. Beside that we should be able to distinguish clearly between hardness and hardenability and the purpose of this test. Factors that determine hardenability should be establish after completing this experiment. 2.0 Theory : Knowledge about the hardenability of steels is necessary to select the appropriate combination of alloy steel and heat treatment to minimize thermal stresses and distortion in manufacturing components of different sizes. The Jominy end-quench test is the standard method for measuring the hardenability of steels. This describes the ability of the steel to be hardened in depth by quenching. Hardenability depends on the chemical composition of the steel and also be can affected by prior processing conditions, such as the austenitizing temperature. It not only is necessary to understand the basic information provided from the test, but also to understand how the information obtained from the Jominy test can be used to understand the effects of alloying in steels and the steel microstructure. The Jominy end-quench test measures the hardenability of steel; that is, the ability of the steel to partially or to completely transform from austenite to some fraction of martensite at a given depth below the surface when cooled under a given condition from high temperature. A quench and temper heat treatment uses this phase transformation to harden steels. Tempering the martensite microstructure imparts a good combination of strength and toughness to the steel. Without tempering, martensite is hard, but brittle. To select steel for a component that will be heat treated, it is important to know its hardenability. Both alloying and microstructure affect the hardenability, allowing the correct steel and quenching rate to be selected. Prior processing of the steel also affects the microstructure and should also be considered. Hardenability describes the capacity of the steel to harden in depth under a given set of conditions. For example, a steel of a high hardenability can transform to a high fraction of martensite to depths of several millimeters under relatively slow cooling, such as an oil quench. By comparison, a steel of low hardenability may only form a high fraction of martensite to a depth of less than a millimeter, even under quite rapid cooling, such as a water quench. Steels having high hardenability are required to make large high-strength components, such as large extruder screws for injection molding of polymers, pistons for rock breakers, mine-shaft supports, aircraft undercarriages, as well as for small, highprecision components, such as die-casting molds, drills and presses for stamping coins. The slower cooling rates that can be used for high hardenability steels can reduce thermal stresses and distortion. Steels having low hardenability may be used for smaller components, such as chisels and shears, or for surface-hardened

components, such as gears, where there is a desire to maintain a ferrite and pearlite microstructure at the core to improve toughness. The Jominy end-quench test is the standard method to measure the hardenability of steels.

3.0 Equipments :

=Micro Vickers Hardness Test

=Vickers Indentation

4.0 Procedures : a. The specimen is heated in the furnace until the temperature reaches 900 C. b. Before performing the test, the water flow is adjusted until height reaches approximately 65 mm (2 ) as shown in figure below.

c. Once the specimen is removed from the furnace, it is placed in the quenching apparatus and the water applied within 5.5 sec, precaution is taken to make sure the water strikes only the bottom of the specimen. d. The specimen is left in the quenching unit for a few minutes until it cools. Then the specimen is immersed in the water for 30 minutes to ensure the homogeneity of the microstructure and easy for handling. e. After the specimen cools, the outer surface is grounded off to remove scale and any decarburized layer. The specimen now can be observed by microscope. We can see the martensite structure at the quenchedend. f. The specimen then undergoes the hardenability test using the Vickers Micro hardness Tester. The Vickers micro is switched on and then the specimen is placed at the Vickers micro. The load 1 kg is applied. g. Next, the length of the specimen is adjusted to 1 mm. The microstructure of the specimen is observed. When the structure is clearly observe, we changes the lens to the diamond indenter and then we start the operation of indenter by pushing the start button. The full load is normally applied for 10 to 15 seconds. The two diagonals of the indentation left in the surface of the material after removal of the load are measured using a microscope and their average. h. The distance between a corner to a corner is measured, d1 and d2. Then, the average distance is calculated. Lastly, refer the table for

Vickers Hardness Numbers to find the hardness values corresponding to the average distance calculated before. The step 5.6 until 5.8 is repeated for 5mm and 10 mm length of specimen.

i. The distance between a corner to a corner is measured, d1 and d2. Then, the average distance is calculated. Lastly, refer the table for Vickers Hardness Numbers to find the hardness values corresponding to the average distance calculated before. The step 5.6 until 5.8 is repeated for 5mm and 10 mm length of specimen. 5.0 Result : Hardness calculation :

Distance 1mm 5mm 10mm

d1, (mm) 53.8 59.4 71.1

d2, (mm) 56.7 61.4 59.2

Average, d (mm) 55.25 60.4 65.15

Hardness Value (HV) 607.5 508 437

Sample calculation: d = (d1 + d2) / 2 d = (53.8 + 56.7) / 2 d = 55.25 Refer Table for Vickers Hardness numbers corresponding to d = 55.25, we get HV = 607.5

6.0 Finding : Finding 6.1 During this experiment we have to different the term hardenability and hardness and know the factors that determine the hardenability. Thus it might be expected that those factors:

carbon concentration; alloying element concentration; temperature of transformation; strain rate.

During the experiment, we have tested three different locations along the bar as shown in the table 7.1 below shows the different microstructures corresponding to different location on the specimen. Distance from quenched end Microstructures

1mm (Fine Martensite)

5mm (Coarsed-Martensite)

10mm (Fine Bainite)

Table 7.1. Different microstructures at different locations.

From the data obtained, we can plot a graph of hardness versus distance from the quenched end. The pattern of the graph of hardness vs. distance is shown below.

Graph 7.2. Hardness vs. distance from quenched-end

We analysis that, the hardness value of the specimen vary according to the distance from the quenched-end. The hardness value decrease when the distance from quenched-end increase. The far it from the quenched end, the less of hardness value. Finding 6.2 From the experiment, we analysis that the fine martensite microstructure has a greater hardness value, follow by coarsed martensite and then by fine bainite. Rapid quenching of austenite to room temperature often results in the formation of martensite, a very hard structure in which the carbon, formerly in solid solution in the austenite, remains in solution in the new phase. We can say that

the hardness of the specimen depend on the cooling rate of the specimen after been heated (quenching). Finding 6.3 The knowledge of jominy end-quench test in industrial application is importance because the hardenability of steels is necessary to select the appropriate combination of alloy steel and heat treatment to minimize thermal stresses and distortion in manufacturing components of different sizes. The Jominy end-quench test is the standard method for measuring the hardenability of steels. This describes the ability of the steel to be hardened in depth by quenching. Steels having high hardenability are required to make large highstrength components, such as large extruder screws for injection molding of polymers, pistons for rock breakers, mine-shaft supports, aircraft undercarriages, as well as for small, high-precision components, such as die-casting molds, drills and presses for stamping coins. Hot metal parts (gears, plates, slabs, billets, etc) are quenched using air, water, oil, or liquid polymers to obtain certain hardness and mechanical properties requirements.

9.0 References : i). Materials Science and Engineering an Introduction, William D. Callister, Jr, 6th Edition John Wiley & Sons, Inc ii). Materials Science and Engineering, George E. Dieter, 3rd edition McGrawHill iii). http://www.key-to-steel.com/Articles/Art155.htm iv). http://www.cashenblades.com v). http://www.thermotech.co.uk/resources/Steel-Heat_Treatment-05.pdf