THE EFFECT OF DEEP CRYOGENIC ON TENSILE STRENGTH AND IMPACT TOUGHNESS IN QUENCH TEMPERED STEEL PLATE AS A CANDIDATE FOR BALLISTIC RESISTANCE MATERIAL

Abstract

Ballistic resistant materials are materials containing right combination of hardness, strength, and toughness. The quench process produces high hardness and tensile strength but decreases toughness. The hardening process has been performed using an induction machine and a tempering process on a medium carbon steel plate. This work aimed to determine and analyze the effect of deep cryogenic treatment (DCT) on steel plates that have been quenched tempered. This research utilized steel plates of 130 x 130 x 8 mm size which has been quenched and then immersed in liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C for 1, 5, 10, and 20 days. The micro Vickers hardness test specimen, tensile test and charpy impact test were made to determine the effect of immersion time. The test results and analysis showed that DCT had the ability to change microstructure, improve the hardness, tensile strength, and impact toughness. Furthermore, the maximum hardness was obtained during the immersion treatment of 20 days, which was 449.45 VHN and 1107.53 MPa, respectively. However, the highest toughness was obtained during the immersion of 10 days, which was 1,001 J/mm2. In order to get the optimal combination of ballistic characters, further ballistic testing is needed, both in simulation using the finite element method and ballistic experiment test.