Tempering

Tempering is a low temperature (below A1) heat treatment process normally performed
after neutral hardening, double hardening, atmospheric carburising, carbonitriding or
induction hardening in order to reach a desired hardness/toughness ratio.
(BENEFITS) The maximum hardness of a steel grade, which is obtained by hardening,
gives the material a low toughness. Tempering reduces the hardness in the material and
increases the toughness. Through tempering you can adapt materials properties
(hardness/toughness ratio) to a specified application

(APPLICATION AND MATERIALS)

Tempering can be divided into three main groups:
Low temperature (160-300C): used for case hardening components and cold
working tool steels. Typically, hardness requirement is around 60 HRC.
Tempering of spring steels (300-500C): used for spring steels or similar
applications. Typically, hardness requirement is around 45 HRC.
High temperature (500C or higher): used for quenched and tempered steels, hot
working tool steels and high speed steel. The hardness will vary from 300HB to 65HRC
dependent on the material.
(PROCESS DETAILS) The tempering temperature may vary, depending on the
requirements and the steel grade, from 160C to 500C or higher. Tempering is normally
performed in furnaces which can be equipped with a protective gas option. Protective
gas will prevent the surface from oxidation during the process and is mainly used for
higher temperatures. For some types of steels the holding time at the tempering
temperature is of great importance; an extended holding time will correspond to a higher
temperature. Depending on the steel grade a phenomenon known as temper brittleness
can occur in certain temperature intervals. Tempering inside this temperature interval
should normally be avoided. These areas are shown in the steel suppliers steel
catalogues, as well as the most suitable temperature depending on hardness
requirements..

Martempering/Marquenching
Marquenching/Martempering is a form of heat treatment applied as an interrupted
quench of steels typically in a molten salt bath at a temperature right above the
martensite start temperature. The purpose is to delay the cooling for a length of time to
equalise the temperature throughout the piece. This will minimise distortion, cracking
and residual stress.

(BENEFITS) Reduced cracking due to thermal stress. Reduced residual stress in the
quenched part section for parts with varying geometry, size, or weight.

(APPLICATION AND MATERIALS) Since marquenching lowers the residual thermal

stress, it is used for parts with complex geometries, diverse weights, and section
changes.
Marquenching is used primarily to minimise distortion and eliminate cracking. Alloy
steels are generally more adaptable to marquenching. In general, any steel part or
grade of steel responding to oil quenching can be marquenched to provide similar
physical properties.
The grades of steel that are commonly marquenched and tempered to full hardness are:
90Mn4 / 1.1273 / AISI 1090
42CrMo4 / 1.7225 / AISI 4140
100Cr6 / 1.3505 / SAE 52100
44SMn28 / 1.0762 / SAE 1144
50CrMo4 / 1.7228 / AISI 4150
34CrNiMo6 / 1.6511 / AISI 4340
43CrNiMo6 / 1.6582 / 300M, 4340M
46Cr2/ 1.7006 / AISI 4640
41Cr4/ 1.7035 / AISI5140
50CrV4 / 1.8159 / AISI 6150
30NiCrMo2 / 1.6545 / AISI 8630
40NiCrMo2 / 1.6546 / AISI 8740

(PROCESS DETAILS) Marquenched parts are tempered in the same manner as

conventional quenched parts.
Steel is marquenched and tempered by:
Quenching from the austenitising temperature into a hot fluid medium at a
temperature usually above the martensitic range;
Holding in the quenching medium until the temperature throughout the steel is
substantially uniform;
Cooling at a moderate rate to prevent large differences between the outside and
the centre of the section; and

Tempering in conventional fashion.

Austempering
Austempering is a heat treating process for medium-to-high carbon ferrous metals
which produces a metallurgical structure called bainite. It is used to increase strength,
toughness, and reduce distortion. Parts are heated to the hardening temperature, then
cooled rapidly enough to a temperature above the martensite start (Ms) temperature
and held for a time sufficient to produce the desired bainite microstructure.

Austempering is a hardening process for metals which yields desirable mechanical

properties including:
Higher ductility, toughness, and strength for a given hardness.
Resistance to shock
Reduced distortion, specifically with thin parts.

(APPLICATION AND MATERIALS) Austempering is primarily used to harden medium to

high carbon steels in the range of 35-55 HRC when toughness is required with the
additional benefit of a reduction in distortion. The process is widely used in the
automotive industry for clips and other parts where maximum flexibility and toughness
are required.
The range of austempering applications generally encompasses parts fabricated from
sheet or strip of small cross section. Austempering is particularly applicable to thin
section carbon steel parts requiring exceptional toughness.
Austempering is most effective on medium to high carbon ferrous alloys and ductile iron
castings, such as SAE 1045 to 1095, 4130, 4140, 5160, 6150 (C45 to C100, 25CrMo4,
42CrMo4, 50CrV4) and for hardness requirements needed in between HRC 38-52

(PROCESS DETAILS) Steel is austempered by:

Heating to a temperature within the austenitising range, usually 790-915C
(1450 -1675F).
Quenched in a bath (molten salt, or occasionally oil) maintained at a constant
temperature, usually in the range of 260-370C (500-700F).
Held for a time to allow transformation to a bainite microstructure.
Cooled to room temperature.

REFERENCES
http://www.bodycote.com/en/services/heat-treatment/harden-and-temper.aspx