Date of Award
4-2024
Degree Name
Master of Science in Engineering
Department
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
First Advisor
Robert Tuttle, Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Sam N Ramrattan, Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Lee J Wells, Ph.D.
Keywords
Heat treatment, medium manganese steels, quench and partiton, retained austenite
Access Setting
Masters Thesis-Open Access
Abstract
Quench and partition (Q&P) steels have emerged as promising alternatives to traditional quenching and tempering methods, offering a superior balance of strength and ductility due to their unique microstructure of martensite, and retained austenite. This literature review examines the development and optimization of Q&P steels, focusing on their mechanical properties, heat treatment processes, and applications in various industries. This study explores the application and effectiveness of the Quench and Partition (Q&P) heat treatment process on cast steels and examines segregation phenomena in cast medium Mn steels. Medium Mn steels were employed for various Q&P cycles on cast specimens to investigate their microstructural transformations, focusing on the effects of treatment duration on mechanical properties such as hardness and microstructure stability. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and hardness testing were used for analysis. The findings indicate that longer Q&P cycles enhance the microstructural properties of thicker sections. Additionally, the research investigates macro and microsegregation in a Y-block casting of similar composition, with results suggesting minimal segregation, thus questioning the necessity of a homogenization step in the heat treatment process for the observed size range. These insights could significantly influence future applications of Q&P steels in the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries by optimizing treatment processes and reducing production cost.
Recommended Citation
Shaik, Mujeeb Hussain, "Segregation and Heat Treatment Response of Cast Quench and Partition Steels" (2024). Masters Theses. 5411.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/masters_theses/5411