Journal of Material Sciences & Engineering

Analysis of Mechanical Behavior and Microstructural Characteristics Change of ASTM A-36 Steel Applying Various Heat Treatment

Abstract

Hasan MF

In this study ASTM A-36 (mild steel) is selected as specimen for testing various mechanical properties and microstructure change. The effects of heat treatment on the mechanical properties and microstructure characteristics change of selected specimen are analyzed. Annealing, hardening and tempering are the most important heat treatment processes often used to change mechanical properties of engineering materials. The purpose of heat treating is to analyze the mechanical properties of the steel, usually ductility, hardness, Yield strength, tensile strength and impact resistance. The heat treatment develops hardness, softness, and improves the mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, ductility, corrosion resistance and creep rupture. These processes also help to improve machining effect, and make them versatile. The mechanical properties can easily be modified by heat treating to suit a particular design purpose. In the present study, selected samples are heat-treated at certain temperature above the austenitic region and quenched in order to investigate the effect on the mechanical properties microstructure of the mild steel. The changes in mechanical behavior and microstructure as compared with unquenched samples are explained in terms of changes in tensile strength. Results showed that the mechanical properties of mild steel can be changed and improved by various heat treatments for a particular application.