Heat Treated Steel Material, Advantages, and Applications

DALIAN, China - Sept. 22, 2024 - PRLog -- The process of heat treatment alters the physical and sometimes chemical properties of steel to achieve desired characteristics such as increased hardness, strength, and wear resistance. In this post, we'll explore the different steel material numbers associated with heat-treated steel, the advantages of heat treatment, and its widespread applications.

Steel Material

Heat treatment transform the mechanical properties of steel to meet specific performance requirements. Not all steels respond equally to heat treatment, so selecting the right material is essential for achieving desired outcomes like improved hardness, strength, or toughness.

1. Carbon Steels

Carbon steels are widely used in heat treatment because of their straightforward composition and the ability to achieve a range of mechanical properties through heat treatment processes.

AISI 1045 (1.1191): This medium-carbon steel is versatile and commonly used in heat-treated applications. It responds well to quenching and tempering, offering good hardness and strength. It's widely used in machinery parts, bolts, and gears.

2. Alloy Steels

Alloy steels contain additional alloying elements like chromium, molybdenum, and vanadium, which improve their mechanical properties and make them more amenable to heat treatment.

AISI 4140 (1.7225): This is one of the most popular alloy steels for heat treatment. AISI 4140 offers a good balance of strength, toughness, and wear resistance, making it ideal for shafts, gears, and heavy-duty industrial applications.

AISI 4340 (1.6582): Known for its high toughness and strength, AISI 4340 is a favorite for aerospace components, crankshafts, and other applications requiring superior mechanical properties. Heat treatment enhances its fatigue strength and wear resistance.

3. Tool Steels

Tool steels are specifically designed for applications requiring high hardness, wear resistance, and the ability to retain a cutting edge.

D2 Tool Steel (1.2379): D2 is an air-hardening, high-carbon, high-chromium tool steel with excellent wear resistance and toughness. It's commonly used for cutting tools, dies, and industrial knives. After heat treatment, it exhibits a very high hardness level.
A2 Tool Steel (1.2363): A2 is another air-hardening tool steel, offering a good balance between toughness and wear resistance. It's commonly used in molds, punches, and other tooling applications where impact resistance is essential.

4. Stainless Steels

While stainless steels are primarily known for their corrosion resistance, certain grades can also benefit from heat treatment to improve their mechanical properties.

AISI 440C (1.4125): Known for its high carbon content, AISI 440C can achieve the highest hardness of any stainless steel after heat treatment. It's used in bearings, cutting tools, and other applications requiring both hardness and corrosion resistance.

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