Bildiriler Kitabı TMMOB Metalurji ve Malzeme Mühendisleri Odası

Effect of Heat Treatment Parameters on Material Properties Melek Cumbul Altay, Gamze Durmaz
of AISI 4140 Steel İstanbul University - Türkiye

Abstract heating rate then held at 1 h. The samples cooled down to

In this study, the effects of various normalization
temperature on hardness and microstructure of AISI 4140
steel are investigated. The steel samples was heated to three
different austenitic region temperature (850, 875 and 900
o
C) with 10 oC/min heating rate then held at 1 h. The
samples cooled down to room temperature using three
quenching environment such as air, oil and water. The
microstructures of annealed samples were characterized by
optical microscopy. The hardness of samples was measured
by using Vickers hardness test. The greatest increase in
hardness was observed for experimental condition of
sample at normalized 875 oC and water quenched.
1. Introduction
room temperature using air, oil and water quenching
environment. The microstructures of annealed samples
were characterized by optical microscopy (Olympus). The
hardness of samples was measured by using Vickers
hardness test at HV10 scale.
3. Results and Discussion
The chemical analysis result of AISI steel used in the tests
is given in Table 1. The analysis has showed that chemical
composition of sample is compatible with standard AISI
4140 steel.
Table 1.Chemical analysis of AISI steel (wt%)
C Mn Mo Cr Si Ni
0,3803 0,8235 0,1561 1,0791 0,2458 0,0543

Tempered steel is suitable in terms of chemical The optical microscope images of unheated (initial) and air
composition especially the amount of carbon for hardening quenched samples were given in Figure 1 (a-d). As seen
steel production and gains a high toughness in a certain from the Figure 1, the microstructures of samples consist of
tensile strength after tempering process. It has a wide range ferrite + bainite phase morphology. The average grain size
of uses such as various machine and engine parts, forged of initial sample is 49 Pm.
parts, bolts, nuts, crankshafts, axles, drive control
components, piston rods and gears due to superior
(a)
mechanical properties [1]. Heat treatment of 4140 steel is a
significant determinant factor as machinability
characteristics for manufacturing [2]. Uzkut and Ozdemir
[3] are investigated the effects of various heating rates on
the mechanical properties of the AISI 1020, AISI 1040 and
AISI 4140. The greatest increase in hardness in relation to
the increasing heating temperature was obtained for AISI
4140 steel. The main objective of this study was to
investigate some morphological and mechanical properties
of AISI 4140 steel with different normalization temperature
for air, oil and water quenching environment.
(b)
2. Experimental Procedure

AISI 4140 steel was used in the form of cylindrical billet

that have dimensions of 22 mm diameter and 125 mm
length. The steel billet was cut to small pieces for having
20 mm length. The chemical analysis of AISI 4140 steel
was achieved using optical emission spectrometry (ARL
4460 model). The steel samples was heated to 850 oC, 875
o
C and 900 oC austenitic region temperature with 10 oC/min

1083
18. Uluslararası Metalurji ve Malzeme Kongresi | IMMC 2016
UCTEA Chamber of Metallurgical & Materials Engineers Proceedings Book

(c)
(c)

Figure 2. Microstructure of oil quenched samples

(d) heated at 850 oC (a), 875 oC (b) and 900 oC (c) for 1h.

The optical microscope images of water quenched samples

were given in Figure 3 (a-c). The microstructure of sample
heated at low austenitic temperature (850 oC) displays
martensite and ferrite morphology. The martensite
morphology has become dominant phase with increasing
normalization temperature. In addition dimension of grain
size (11 Pm) of martensite phase is lowest for sample of
heated 875 oC.

Figure 1. Microstructure of untreated (a), heated

at 850 oC (b), 875 oC (c) and 900 oC (d) for 1 h. (a)

The optical microscope images of oil quenched samples

were given in Figure 2 (a-c). The presences of ferrite and
martensite morphologies are seen in the images of sample
microstructure. The martensite phase is located at the grain
boundaries of ferrite phase (Figure 2c).

(a)
(b)

(b)
(c)

Figure 3. Microstructure of water quenched samples

heated at 850 oC (a), 875 oC (b) and 900 oC (c) for 1h.

1084 IMMC 2016 | 18 th International Metallurgy & Materials Congress

Bildiriler Kitabı TMMOB Metalurji ve Malzeme Mühendisleri Odası

Hardness plays an important role in terms of the properties

of the material. Hardness test result of water quenched
samples was given in Figure 4. The hardness of the initial
sample (197 HV10) increased with normalization heat
treatment due to the presence of the martensite phase.
However there was no significant increase at value of
hardness of 850 oC and 900 oC as seen form the graph. But
it has a peak of sample hardness value for experimental
condition of sample at normalized 875 oC because of
lowest grain size.

Figure 4. The effect of austenitic temperature

on hardness of water quenched samples.

4. Conclusion

When AISI 4140 steel cooled down at air atmosphere, the

morphology consists of ferrite and bainite phase for all
normalization temperature. The ferrite and martensite
morphologies are seen microstructure of oil quenched
samples. Furthermore the martensite phase is located at the
grain boundaries of ferrite phase. The martensite
morphology has become dominant phase for water
quenched samples with increasing normalization
temperature. The greatest increase in hardness was
observed for experimental condition of water quenched
sample at normalized 875 oC because of lowest grain size
of martensite phase. Consequently, the effective austenitic
temperature is 875oC.

Acknowledgment

This work was partially based on an undergraduate thesis

pursued by G. Durmaz.

References

[1] Asil Çelik A.ù., Technical Publications, Gökça÷, 2014,

Bursa, Turkey.
[2] R.L. Klueh, D.J. Alexander, Journal of Nuclear
Materials, 265 (1999) 262-272.
[3] M. Uzkut, I Ozdemir, DEÜ Journal of Science and
Engineering, 3 (2001) 65-73.

1085
18. Uluslararası Metalurji ve Malzeme Kongresi | IMMC 2016