Influence of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure of a High Chromium Steel Used for the Manufacture of Rolling Rolls

Abstract

The aim of this work was the study of the heat treatment optimisation of high chrome steels used for the manufacture of rolling rolls in order to obtain a final product with a high hardness and wear resistance and taking into account the very large dimensions typical of these products. The effect of modifying the maintenance temperature and time during the different phases of the heat treatment on the microstructure and hardness of this product was evaluated. The necessity of adjusting the temperature and maintenance time of the quenching heat treatment in order to obtain a martensitic/bainitic matrix with a low austenite content followed by two tempering treatments was demonstrated as the best way to obtain the optimal properties of the product for this particular application.