Effect of Water Temperature on the Mechanical Properties of Water Quenched Medium Carbon Steel

Abstract

The effect of water temperature on the hardness and impact strength of water quenched medium carbon steel was investigated. Two medium carbon steel, 0.33 wt % C and 0.42 wt % C, were heated to 900 ^oC and quenched in water at temperatures ranging from 35 ^oC (room temperature) to 95 ^oC. The results showed that hardness was reduced by over 18% and impact strength was improved by over 50%. The hard martensite structure which usually makes quenched steels highly brittle and of low toughness was replaced by tempered martensite structures thereby impacting better mechanical properties in the steel.

Keywords: Water quenched temperature, Thermal Diffusivity, Hardness, Toughness