7 Essential Types of Thermomechanical Treatment | MachineMFG

7 Essential Types of Thermomechanical Treatment

0
(0)

Thermomechanical treatment is a metal heat treatment process that combines pressure processing with heat treatment to effectively utilize deformation strengthening and phase transformation strengthening on metal materials.

By combining pressure processing with heat treatment operations, this process unifies the forming process with obtaining final properties.

Now, let’s explore the categories and applications of thermomechanical treatment.

1. Review iron carbon phase diagram

SymbolMeaning
A1Temperature at which austenite, ferrite, cementite or carbide coexist in equilibrium
A3The highest coexistence temperature of austenite and ferrite in hypoeutectoid steel in equilibrium
Ac1Temperature at which austenite begins to form when steel is heated
Ac3The temperature at which all ferrite is transformed into austenite when hypoeutectoid steel is heated.
Ar1The temperature at which austenite decomposes into ferrite and pearlite during high temperature austenitizing and cooling of steel.
Ar3The temperature at which the cooling austenite begins to precipitate free ferrite.
AcmThe highest temperature at which austenite and cementite or carbide coexist in hypereutectoid steel in equilibrium state is the upper critical point of hypereutectoid steel.
AccmThe final temperature at which all secondary cementite dissolves into austenite during heating.
ArcmThe temperature at which austenite begins to precipitate secondary cementite during cooling.

Thermomechanical treatment

This is a comprehensive strengthening process that combines deformation strengthening and phase transformation strengthening. It involves two processes, namely plastic deformation and solid-phase transformation of metal materials, which are integrated to influence the phase transformation process and products. By utilizing the changes in the structure of metal materials during deformation, this process aims to obtain the desired structure and properties.

2. High temperature deformation hardening

Process characteristics

Deformation is performed either above the Ar3 transformation temperature of steel, or between the Ar1 and Ar3 temperature range. Alternatively, it can be carried out above the solution heat treatment temperature of alloys. After deformation, the material is quenched and tempered.

Effect and application

Eliminating the processes of reheating and quenching can enhance the strength of steel by 10-30%, improve its toughness and fatigue resistance, and decrease the risk of temper brittleness. This technique is also effective in improving the strength and plasticity of nonferrous alloys.

The method is commonly employed in the production of plates, strips, pipes, wires, and bars made of carbon steel, low and medium alloy steel, as well as mechanical parts with simple shapes.

3. Controlled rolling

Process characteristics

The steel is deformed either above Ar3 or between Ar1 and Ar3. It is then cooled with either air or water until it reaches above 550 ℃, and subsequently air-cooled to obtain either ferrite-pearlite or bainite structure.

Effect and application

By increasing the yield strength, it is possible to obtain excellent low-temperature toughness, making it suitable for producing a range of products including low carbon steel, weldable steel plate, strip, wire rod, and other items containing Nb, V, and Ti. These products are not quenched or tempered.

4. Low temperature deformation hardening

Process characteristics

The steel is deformed in the stable zone of undercooled austenite (500~600 ℃), and then quenched and tempered.

Effect and application

Under the condition of ensuring the plasticity of steel, its strength can be significantly enhanced. This is applicable to components made of medium alloy high-strength steel that require high strength, small section high-strength steel wires, as well as high-alloy steel molds, high-speed steel tools, and so on.

5. Isothermal deformation heat treatment

Process characteristics

(a) Deformation occurs both before and during the pearlite transformation temperature range of steel.

(b) Deformation can also occur after the pearlite transformation.

Effect and application

(a) Fine ferrite subgrains and spherical carbides can improve the impact toughness of steel several times and are suitable for producing small parts of alloy structural steel.

(b) This process can significantly shorten the spheroidizing time, lower the spheroidizing temperature, and improve the spheroidizing structure. It is commonly used in tool steel and bearing steel manufacturing.

6. Deformation heat treatment inducing martensitic transformation

Process characteristics

Deformation is carried out in the temperature range Ms ~ Md of steel.

Effect and application

Improve the strength under the condition of ensuring plasticity.

It is applicable to austenitic stainless steel and transformation induced plasticity steel (TRIP steel).

7. Deformation aging treatment of supersaturated solid solution

Process characteristics

After solution treatment, the steel or alloy shall be cold worked or warm worked before aging.

Effect and application

The strength is significantly improved, and the necessary plasticity can still be ensured.

Used for steel grades or alloys requiring strengthening, such as austenitic steel, maraging steel, nickel base superalloy, aluminum alloy, copper alloy, etc.

8. Pre thermomechanical treatment

Process characteristics

The process begins with cold deformation at room temperature, followed by intermediate tempering. After that, secondary rapid heating and quenching are performed, followed by final tempering.

Effect and application

It can still retain the strengthening effect from deformation, making it suitable for producing cold-rolled steel tubes, cold-drawn high-strength steel wires, or small parts with simple shapes that can be cold-formed.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

As you found this post useful...

Follow us on social media!

We are sorry that this post was not useful for you!

Let us improve this post!

Tell us how we can improve this post?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top