Artic B

Citation: Hasan MF (2016) Analysis of Mechanical Behavior and Microstructural Characteristics Change of ASTM A-36 Steel Applying Various
Heat
Treatment. J Material Sci Eng 5: 227. doi:10.4172/2169-0022.1000227
Page 2 of 6
also help to improve machining effect, and make them versatile. They Materials and Methods
are found in applications such as train railroads, beams for building
support structures, reinforcing rods in concrete, ship construction, Sample of ASTM A-36 mild steel was purchased from a local
tubes for boilers in power generating plants, oil and gas pipelines, car market located in Khulna, Bangladesh. All specimens of mild steel of
radiators, cutting tools etc. [3]. The mild steel or called low carbon steel dimensions 8 × 8 × 8 mm was cut using power hacksaw. The chemical
as the main component to through the process of the heat treatment composition of the mild steel sample was determined as given in Table
where it containing several characteristic. The general range of mild 1. Standard tensile and impact specimens were made from ASTM
steel is 0.05% to 0.35%. Mild steel is a very versatile and useful material. A-36 mild steel sample using lathe machine. Samples were subjected
It can be machined and worked into complex shapes has low cost to different heat treatment: annealing, normalizing, hardening, and
and good mechanical properties. It is forms the vast bulk of the steels tempering in accordance to ASM International Standards [7]. Heat
employed for general structural fabrication, sheet metal and so on. treated specimens were tested for mechanical properties. The heat
Bolts and studs are supposed to be made from mild steel (up to 0.25% treatment conditions are listed in Table 2. Four specimens were
carbon) with characteristic toughness and ductility. prepared for each heat treatment type.
Various Microstructures Material composition

The chemical composition of ASTM A-36 steel shown in Table 1.
Prediction of microstructure transformations is prerequisite for
successful prediction of mechanical properties after a heat treatment Working steps
and of generation of stresses and strains during a heat treatment. Phase
transformation modeling is one of the main challenges in modeling of The following steps were carried out in our experimental
heat treatment [4]. During annealing, softening processes are under way investigation:
in the microstructure and, in some cases, recovery and recrystallization I. Samples of ASTM A36 steel were prepared for mechanical
take place as well. Naturally, the morphology of carbides changes as
properties test.
well [5].
II. After that the following specimens were heat treated in the
Ferrite furnace for reaching the austenization temperature (850-900°C) of the
It is α-iron (B.C.C.) having not more than 0.025% carbon in solid following specimens.
solution. It is major constituent in low carbon steels and wrought iron.
III. Then the specific heat treatment operation like hardening,
Its hardness varies from 50 to 100 B.H.N. Its upper tensile strength is
annealing and normalizing had been done.
about 330 MN/m2 and percentage elongation about 40. It can be easily
cold worked [6]. IV. For specific heat treated specimen, the change of mechanical
properties was determined in the following (2.1) using appropriate
Cementite
methods.
It is iron carbide, with 6.67% carbon. Its upper tensile strength is
about 45 MN/m2 and hardness about 650 B.H.N. It is white in color V. Metallographic tests were carried out to observe the changes in
and is brittle. It occurs in steels which have been cooled slowly. It is microstructures after heat treatment.
magnetic below 250°C. In steels containing carbon less than 0.8% it For annealing: In this case the specimen was put in the furnace for
is present as a component of another constituent, “pearlite”. In steels 910°C and we kept it in this situation for approximately 70 minutes.
containing more than 0.8% carbon it exists as a grain boundary film After that it was cooled in a heap of ashes so that it was cooled down at
[6]. a very slow rate.
Pearlite For hardening: In this case the specimen was put in the furnace for
In its microstructure it consists of alternate laminations of ferrite 910°C and we kept it in this situation for approximately 30 minutes.
and cementite. It contains about 0.8% carbon in iron. It is the strongest After that it was cooled in water so that it was cooled down very quickly.
constituent of steel. Its hardness is about 180 B.H.N., ultimate tensile
For normalizing: In this case the specimen was put in the furnace
strength about 920 MN/m2 and percentage elongation about 5% [6].
for 910°C and we kept it in this situation for approximately 70 minutes.
Austenite After that it was cooled in room temperature (Air).
It is a solid solution of carbon in ý-iron (F.C.C.) containing a For tempering: In this case the specimen was put in the furnace
maximum of 2% carbon at 1130°C. It is tough and non-magnetic. It for 450°C and we kept it in this situation for approximately 70 minutes.
exists in plain carbon steels above upper critical temperature. Elements After that it was cooled in room temperature (Air).
like chromium and manganese in steel preserve all or some of austenite
down to 0°C. Austenite consists of polyhedral grains showing twins [6]. Iron family C% Si % Mn % S% P% Fe % Cu%
Mild steel 0.29 0.28 0.10 0.10 0.04 98.14 0.2
Martensite
Table 1: Chemical composition of mild steel.
In plain carbon steel it is obtained by quenching from above upper
critical temperature. It is the hardest constituent obtained in given Condition Annealed Normalized Hardened Tempered
steel. It shows a fine needle-like microstructure. Its hardness is about Temperature, °C 910 910 910 450
700 B.H.N. It is unstable and disappears on reheating the steel. It is Holding time, min 70 70 30 70
magnetic and less tough than austenite. It is considered to be highly Cooling medium Ash Air Water Air
stressed α-iron supersaturated with carbon [6]. Table 2: Summary of heat treatment process.
J Material Sci Eng

ISSN: 2169-0022 JME, an open access journal Volume 5 • Issue 2 • 1000227

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Citation: Hasan MF (2016) Analysis of Mechanical Behavior and Microstructural Characteristics Change of ASTM A-36 Steel Applying Various

Various Microstructures Material composition

J Material Sci Eng

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