A theoretical approach for estimating the effect of water-jet quenching on low-carbon steel beams

Abstract

Quenching is an efficient manufacturing technique to improve the strength of steel after hot rolling. The benefit of this application is to enhance the mechanical properties of steel products while reducing strengthening alloying elements, e.g., C, Mn, V, Nb, and N. Quenching and self-tempering (QST) especially for H-beams is a unique material strengthening process that adopts intensive surface cooling and self-tempering. A methodological difficulty in estimating the quenching effect has been a long-standing concern in the QST application. The purpose of this study was therefore to specify quenching parameters, quantify quenching, analyze the effect, and verify the credibility of the results. Transient quenching was simulated in ANSYS to analyze heat transfer and phase transformations due to quenching. An individual concept, e.g., heat exchange, cumulative quenching infiltration, or recalescence phenomena, was merged and interpreted newly for the quenching simulation. Computational results based on theoretical approaches were well consistent with empirical studies.

Investigation of Mechanical Properties of Accelerated Cooled and Self-Tempered H-Type Structural Sections

“…In the studied low carbon (up to 0.1wt.%) steels, sufficient hardenability can only be achieved using the accelerated cooling by martensitic transformation. However, it is thought that bainite, sorbite and acicular ferrite consisting of hairy and/or elongated cementite microstructures are formed by the diffusion of carbon from martensite supersaturated with carbon due to the self-tempering after accelerated cooling [22][23][24].…”

Microstructural and Mechanical Characterization of Low-Alloy Fire- and Seismic-Resistant H-Section Steel

“…The key parameters in this process are the finishing rolling temperature (FRT) and the finishing cooling temperature (FCT), which are critical for achieving the desired microstructural and mechanical properties (illustrated in Figure 1b,c). Recent theoretical studies have aimed to quantify these quenching parameters and simulate the transient quenching process [8], offering insights into the optimization of this online manufacturing process. The temperature profile of the quenched surface layer and core layer of the H-section flange is critical.…”

“…This study presents an in-depth analysis of H-section fire-and seismic-resistant structural steel produced by a pilot plant at Hyundai Steel's Incheon works. The focus is on examining the microstructure and nano-hardness distribution changes through the thickness of the flange, providing a comprehensive understanding of the material's multiphase Recent theoretical studies have aimed to quantify these quenching parameters and simulate the transient quenching process [8], offering insights into the optimization of this online manufacturing process. The temperature profile of the quenched surface layer and core layer of the H-section flange is critical.…”