Effect of isothermal quenching methods on impact toughness and wear resistance in high boron steel

Abstract

Abstract Isothermal quenching methods were applied to high boron steel for improving the impact toughness and wear resistance. The effect of different heat treatment processes on the microstructure and mechanical properties was studied. Each of the specimens was characterized using metallographic techniques, scanning electronic microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, toughness and hardness testing. The results indicate that the as-cast high boron steel consists of pearlite matrix and eutectic boride M 2B and Fe3(C, B) type distributing along grain boundaries. After isothermal quenching, the matrix of high boron steel is changed from pearlite to martensite and lower bainite. The impact toughness and wear resistance of high boron steel after isothermal quenching are better than that of high boron steel after water quenching.