Analysis of hardened heat treatment on steel in the laboratory
As an industrial company, you would like to carry out an analysis of hardened heat treatment on steel.
What is tempered heat treatment?
Quenched heat treatment is a surface treatment used in many industrial sectors that modifies the metallurgical structure of steel to improve its mechanical properties such as hardness,wear resistance and toughness.
The hardened heat treatment technique
Quenched heat treatment involves heating the steel to a temperature above its transformation point (generally between 800 and 950°C) in order to form an austenitic phase. The steel is then rapidly cooled (quenched) in an appropriate quenching medium (water, oil or polymer), transforming the austenite into martensite, a very hard but often brittle structure.
Why harden steel?
There are many benefits to hardened heat treatment:
- Improved hardness and wear resistance: Heat treatment significantly increases the hardness of the steel surface, making it more resistant to wear.
- Increased mechanical strength: Martensitic transformation increases tensile and compressive strength.
- Customised mechanical properties: By adjusting the quenching and tempering parameters, it is possible to modulate the mechanical properties to meet specific requirements.
What are the risks associated with hardening steel?
- Cracks and defects: Cooling too quickly can cause internal or surface cracks, compromising the integrity of the part.
- Distortion and deformation: Thermal stresses can cause distortion, necessitating costly grinding operations.
- Insufficient hardness: If the process is not properly controlled, the hardness obtained may be lower than expected, reducing the performance of the part.
- Fragility: Untempered martensite can be very hard but brittle, which can cause problems in applications where toughness is critical.
The FILAB laboratory can help you analyse hardened heat treatment on steel
Pourquoi choisir FILAB ?
The FILAB laboratory has established itself as a benchmark in the field of metallurgical analysis thanks to its in-depth expertise and state-of-the-art equipment.
Specialising in the analysis of metals and alloys, FILAB offers a range of services: chemical analysis, mechanical testing and failure analysis. This expertise enables the laboratory to meet the specific needs of demanding sectors such as aerospace, automotive and medical.
FILAB maintains a high level of quality and precision in its procedures, certified by international accreditations, reinforcing its credibility and reliability in metallurgical analysis.
Our technical resources
Scanning electron microscopy (SEM): To examine the microstructure of the steel and detect any defects or inclusions.
X-ray diffraction (XRD): To identify the metallurgical phases present and confirm martensitic transformation.
Hardness tests: To measure the hardness of the surface and core of the treated part.
Differential thermal analysis (DTA): To check critical temperatures and phase transformations.
