EXPERIMENT 4

THE EFFECTS OF HEAT TREATMENT ON

THE MICROSTRUCTURE OF STEEL

1.0 Objectives

• To study on preparing of metallographic sample for microstructures

observation.
• To study various types of heat treatment process, annealing, normalizing,
quenching.
• To study the effects of heat treatment on the microstructure of steel.
• To discover the microstructure of ferrite, pearlite, cementite, austenite and
martensite under microscopic view.

2.0 Apparatus

i) Five different sample of heat-treated steel

Sample Number Type of Heat Treatment
1 Without Heat Treatment
2 Water Quenched
3 Oil Quenched
4 Normalizing
5 Annealed

ii) Hand grinding machine

iii) Polishing Machine

iv) Optical microsope

3.0 Summary

The properties of steels can be changed or altered by several techniques such as alloying and
heat treatment. Heat treatment process is a process of ability to change the properties by
applying heat. Such treatment modifies microstructures, producing a variety of mechanical
properties that are important in manufacturing, such as improve formability and
machinability.

3.1 Heat Treatment Process

3.1.1 Annealing

Heat treatment in which a material taken to an elevated temperature, kept there for
some time and then slowly cooled. Purpose

• Reduce hardness and brittleness

• To alter the microstructure so that desirable mechanical properties is
achievable.
• To soften metals for improved machinability or formability.
• To recrystallize cold worked (strain hardened) metals.

3.1.2 Normalizing

An annealing heat treatment process accomplished by heating at

approximately 55°C to 88°C above upper critical temperature and followed by

air cooling. Purpose
• Higher strength and hardness material
• Improve machinability
• To refine grain by decreasing grain size and more
uniform distribution.
 3.1.3 Quenching

Process of heating sample to the austenite range and then cooled rapidly. Various
quenching mediums can be used during the process: i.e., water, oil, air, and brine
which each will give different result on the structures and mechanical properties.

The effect of cooling rate on the material can be summarized as in table below:

Cooling Rate Fast (Quenching) Slow

Hard Soft
Strong Weak
Properties
Brittle Ductile
Microstructure Martensite Ferrite- Pearlite- Cementite
Grain Size Small Large

3.2 Sample Preparation

The objective of sample preparation for metallographic observation is to generate a

flat surface with a mirror like surface. The metal that appears in the microscopic
photographs must be prepared and polished carefully before a good microscopic
view can be seen. The surface that we observe under optical microscope must first
be totally flat and smooth. To obtain the smooth and flat surface, several
techniques are required. These include cutting, molding, grinding, polishing, and
etching.

3.2.1 Molding
 The sample usually molded in plastic after cutting to ease holding during polishing.

3.2.2 Grinding

Surface is ground to remove rough scale and imperfection on the surface, followed
by fine grinding until it begins to reflect light.

3.2.3 Polishing

• Rough Polishing – remove the imperfection that grinding has left.

• Fine polishing – remove all scratches.

3.2.4 Etching

• The surface of sample is cleaned with alcohol and dried.

• The surface of sample is immersed in the etching reagent for a few seconds.
• The sample is place under a steam of water to remove all traces of acid.
• Then the sample is washed again with alcohol to prevent watermarks. • The
sample is ready to be viewed under microscope.

4.0 Experiment Procedures

4.1 Five different samples of heat-treated steel were provided to the students.
4.2 The microstructure of each sample was observed and sketched.
4.3 The microstructures were identified and labeled.
 5.0 Results and Discussion

Ferrite
Ferrite

Pearlite

Pearlite

WITHOUT HEAT TREATMENT NORMALIZING

Martensite

Ferrite

Pearlite
Ferrite

ANNEALED WATER QUENCHED

 Ferrite

cementite

Pearlite
OIL QUENCHED
5.1 A chemical process termed "metallographic etching" is used to bring emphasis to
small metal characteristics. Etchants are used to show the thickness, homogeneity, and
quality of the coating materials as well as the size, shape, and metallic phases of the
various types of metals in an alloy.

Before using high-pressure air from an air compressor to dry the sample's surface, it is
first cleaned with water. Second, the sample's surface is submerged in nital solution
for a maximum of five seconds. The sample is next washed with a stream of water to
remove any last traces of acid. Now, a microscope can be used to analyze the sample.

5.2 Annealing

Since subcritical for steels occurs between 500°C and 650°C, the crystal structure
remains unchanged.

Parts can be annealed in a vacuum or decreasing environment when a bright surface

finish is needed. When employing air annealing, surface polish is not a significant
factor, and decarburization can be managed by using an endothermic or neutral
environment

Normalizing
During normalizing, the material is heated to a temperature that is similar to the
hardening temperature (800-920°C). Austenitic forms new grains at this temperature.
The austenitic grains are considerably smaller than the preceding ferritic grains.

After heating and a brief soak, the components are allowed to cool naturally in air
(gas). During chilling, new ferritic grains with more streamlined grain sizes are
created. Sometimes, the heating and cooling operations take place while being
shielded by a gas to avoid oxidation and decarburization.

Quenching

Sample was rapidly cooled after being heated to the austenite range. Different
quenching mediums, including as water, oil, air, and brine, can be utilized during the
procedure. Each will have a different effect on the mechanical characteristics and
structures.

Tempering

The tempering temperature might be as high as 500°C, depending on the

specifications and the grade of steel. Usually, tempering is done in furnaces with a
protective gas option. During the process, protective gas, which is usually applied
at higher temperatures, will prevent the surface from oxidising.

Intended Final Microstructures

The ultimate microstructure that every sample is meant to possess. Once the
material has normalised, fine perlite is the ideal microstructure. Second, quenching
produces martensite, a hard substance. The outcome of annealing is coarse pearlite
 that is soft and ductile. Lastly, the goal of tempering is to produce martensite,
which is hard yet more ductile and pliable.

5.3 Austenitized iron-carbon alloys with martensite microstructure are produced by

quenching them at a comparatively low temperature. There is only one phase that is
out of equilibrium. Quickly cooling the martensite microstructure to prevent the
spread of carbon Interstitial impurities of carbon are still present in martensite.

Tempering is the process that follows quench hardening. Components that have
been quench-hardened are usually too delicate. The material's fragility is caused by
the presence of martensite. This brittleness is eliminated by tempering.
When water quenching is done, the sample is submerged in the etching reagent for a
short while longer than directed, which results in difficult to see martensite and a
darker than expected surface.

6.0 Conclusion

In summary, the experiment examining "The Effects of Heat Treatment on the

Microstructure of Steel" has shed important light on the connection between the
microstructural alterations in steel that arise from heat treatment procedures. The
results of this investigation have brought to light the important roles that
temperature,
duration, and cooling rates play in changing the internal composition of steel. It is
feasible to modify the microstructure to acquire particular mechanical and physical
qualities,such as toughness, strength, and hardness, by carefully regulating and
adjusting these parameters.

7.0 References

• H. Laity. (2001) Fundamentals of materials science for technologist: properties,

resting and laboratory exercises, 2nd edition, Prentice Hall,
 • Spira, N. (2021, January 22). The 4 types of heat treatment steel undergoes -
Kloeckner
Metals. Kloeckner Metals Corporation. https://www.kloecknermetals.com/blog/the-4-
types-of-heat-treatment-steel-undergoes/

• What is normalizing heat treatment? (n.d.). https://www.inspection-for-

industry.com/normalizing-heat-treatment.html

• What is the Annealing Heat Treatment? (n.d.). https://www.inspection-for-

industry.com/annealing-heat-treatment.html

• Wojes, R. (2019, January 6). Metallographic Etching. ThoughtCo.

https://www.thoughtco.com/metallographic-etching-2340003
• Spira, N. (2021, January 22). The 4 types of heat treatment steel undergoes - Kloeckner
Metals. Kloeckner Metals Corporation. https://www.kloecknermetals.com/blog/the-4-
types-of-heat-treatment-steel-undergoes