Structural Transformations During Tempering in the Steels with High Content of Mo and Co

Abstract The structural transformations occurring at tempering for some high-speed steels are a subject of research for which have been dedicated numerous studies. More complex compositions of the high-speed steels were direct consequence of the complexity of structural transformations which occur during heat treatment. On the other hand, current tendency in energy requires maximum efficiency and rational use of heating sources used in industry. Thus, only a precise knowledge of the kinetics of transformations occurring at tempering can be a basis for optimizing this treatment. Although cobalt is used for a long time as an alloying element, though relatively recently it was considered important to the properties of rapid steel. These circumstances, combined with the lack of quantitative information on the kinetics transformation at tempering operation treatment for some steel has led to this paper. The thickness of the studied samples is 5 mm and was taken from the annealed steel bars. These samples were subjected to hardening and tempering treatment in salts bath. Heating for hardening was performed in two steps, at 5500C and 8300C. Austenitizing was done at 12000C, during 120 seconds. The cooling was done up to 5300C in salts bath, with a keeping of 15 seconds, and then air cooling was done. On these samples were carried out, HRC Rockwell hardness measurements, and X-ray diffraction analysis.