IRON CARBON PHASE DIAGRAM

Figure show the simplified iron carbon phase equilibrium diagram with carbon content upto
6.67% plotted on x axis and temperature on the vertical y axis. The origin of the x axis
represents 100% iron and 0% carbon. Moving towards right side from the origin indicates
increasing percentage of carbon. The extreme right end of the x axis stops at 6.67% carbon
instead of 100%carbon concentrations. This is because, a maximum amount of 6.67% carbon
can only be added to molten iron at which it becomes saturated. Any further addition of
carbon will not make it dissolve in iron, but rather floats or get away owing to its very low
density.

Iron containing 6.67% carbon forms a phase called cementite or iron carbide, and it is for this
reason, the iron carbon diagram also known as iron-iron carbide equilibrium diagram ..
 HEAT TREATEMENT
Definition:- Heat treatment is defined as controlled heating and cooling of a
metal components in order to alter its physical and/or mechanical properties,
without changing the shape of the component.

OBJECTIVES OF HEAT TREATMENT:-

 To improve mechanical properties such as tensile strength, impact
resistance, etc…, in metals, especially steels.
 To increase resistance of the metal to wear.
 To increase the toughness.
 To improve mach inability.

TYPES OF HEAT TREATEMENT:-

HEAT TREATMENT

Annealing Normalizing Hardening Tempering Surface

Hardening

Full Annealing Case Hardening

Process Annealing Nit riding carburizing

Age Hardening
 ANNEALING:-
Annealing is a heat treatment process in which the metal is heated to a high
temperature, holding it there for a considerable time,
and then allowing it to cool to room temperature at a
predetermined rate.

PURPOSE:-

1. To relieve internal stresses.

2. To remove coarseness of grains.
3. To improve ductility.
ANNEALING FURNACE
 FULL ANNEALING:-
The term full annealing involves heating steel to its austenitic state before
subjecting it to very slow cooling.

PURPOSE:-

 To relieve internal stresses.

 To remove coarseness of grains.
 To improve ductility.

 Process Annealing:-
This is a process carried out on low carbon steels to soften and increase the
ductibility of a previously strain or work hardened metal, thereby
permitting further deformation.

PURPOSE:-
To soften and increase the ductility of a previously strain hardened metal.
NORMALIZING OR AIR QUENCHING:-
Normalizing process is similar to full annealing, but has a faster rate of
cooling , either in still air or by a blast of air.

PURPOSE:-
 To refine the grain structure.
 To improve mach inability, and
 To obtain a relatively good ductility without reducing the hardness
and strength.

NORMALIZING FURNACE
HARDENING:-
Hardening is a heat treatment process carried out in order to increase the
hardness of the steel so as to make it useful for structural application.

APPLICATIONS:-

Tools such as:- dies, knives, cutting tools, and forming devices.

HARDENING FURNACE

TEMPERING:-
Tempering is a heat treatment process that reduces the brittleness of steel
without significantly lowering its hardness and strength.

Tempering is usually done after hardening.

PURPOSE:-

 To reduce the brittleness and improve the ductility of hardened steel.

 To improve the toughness of steel.
 To relieve internal stresses.
 TEMPERING FURNACE.

SURFACE HARDENING:-
Surface hardening heat treatement is defined as a process in which is
carried on so that the outer surface of the steel is made hard while the
inner core remains soft..
CASE HARDENING:-
Case hardening modifies the chemical composition of the surface of the
steel component by diffusing elements like carbon and/or nitrogen into
the surface of steel components.
CARBURIZING:-
Carburizing is a method of
introducing carbon to the surface of
low carbon steels in order to produce
a hard case, while inner core remains
soft and ductile…
COMPONENTS:-
Gears, cams, cam shafts, pins,
pistons,etc..

CARBURIZING FURNACE
 NITRIDING:-
Nitiding involves diffusion of nitrogen into the surface of certain types
of steels containing aluminium, chromium, tungeston,and vanadium.this
processes produces a hard case without quenching or any further heat
treatment.

GAS NITRIDING PLASMA NITRIDING

FURNACES

AGE HARDENING:-
Certain metals and alloys show increase in their hardness after allowing sufficient
time at room temperature or after heating to a slightly higher temperature. This
kind of hardening is called Age Hardening.

Aging can be done in two methods:-

1. Natural aging:- here the precipitates are formed by supplying natural air.
2. Artificial aging:- here the precipitates are formed by supplying air from
external means . i.e, be means of fan,etc,….