The heat treatment response of thermomechanically processed M-50 steel

Abstract

The heat treatment response of M-50 steel, thermomechanically processed by warm rolling, was compared to that of the same material in a conventional, spheroidize-annealed condition. Warm rolling of M-50 produces markedly finer microstructures than does conventional processing, and may result is enhanced fracture resistance in such a steel. This work examined the effect of austenitizing time and temperature on warm rolled material, comparing its response to that of a conventional, spheroidized starting condition. Warm rolled samples demonstrated significantly higher hardness and retained their finer microstructures after short austenitizing times or treatment at low austenitizing temperatures. The hardness difference is attributed to faster dissolution of finer carbides. Using warm rolled M-50, a given hardness is achieved using shorter austenitizing times or lower austenitizing temperatures than for conventional M-50.