Jominy End-Quench Hardenability Test of an AISI 1020 Steel

J.N.Astoveza Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering University of the Philippines, Diliman jenastoveza@gmail.com

Abstract
The Jominy End-Quench Hardenability Test was used in this experiment to characterize the hardenability property of an AISI 1020 steel sample which was initially austenitized at 868C on a muffle furnace for 1 hour and transferred to a Jominy apparatus to cool for 20 minutes with water jet. Following the standard procedures of the test, two parallel surfaces were ground on the opposite side of the specimen after which indentions for hardness readings and photomicrographs were taken from one of the sides with specified spacing between the indentions considered according to the standards settings. The Hardenability Curve indicated a gradual decrease in hardness values while the microstructures varied from martensite to non-martensitic (pearlite, bainite, ferrite) as the distance moved away from the quenched end. The first derivative plot suggested a high rate of hardness drop with a maximum of 12 HRC per inch at close distances from the quenched end.

1. Introduction
Hardenability is defined as the ability of a ferrous material to acquire hardness after austenitization and quenching. It entails two major aspects including determination of (1) the extent to which a certain level of hardness is attained along the cross section of a material (depth of hardening) and (2) the ability to attain a specific value of hardness. [1]

therefore makes it possible to attain high extent of martensite formation even at a slower cooling rate which is well depicted in the following figure.

1.1 Major Factors Affecting Depth of Hardening

a) Carbon Content

Among the various factors to which hardenability depend, the amount of dissolved carbon during austenitizing is considered to be the most critical. This may be inferred upon recalling that this amount of carbon takes part in the austenite-to-martensite transformation [1] and that the degree of martensite formation during heat treatment is directly indicative of the overall hardness yield of the material. Generally therefore, steel types with higher carbon content are expected to exhibit higher hardenability. b) Alloying Elements

Figure 1. Hardenability of Unalloyed versus Alloyed Steel for (a) water quenching and (b) oil quenching conditions (From G. Spur (Ed.), Handbuch der
Fertigungstechnik, Band 4=2, Warmebehandeln, Carl Hanser, Munich, 1987, p. 1012.)

The general effect of alloying elements dissolved in austenite is to decrease the rate of austenite transformation at subcritical temperature thereby facilitating ultimate transformation to martensite or lower bainite.. [2]. Presence of alloying elements

Manganese, chromium and molybdenum are considered to be some of the most economical alloying elements added with the goal of increasing hardenability while nickel is the most expensive per unit. The latter however produces an alloyed steel product with good machinability property due to the increased toughness that results upon its addition.

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c)

Grain Size

The hardenability of a carbon steel may increase as much as 50% with an increase in austenite grain size from ASTM 8 to ASTM 3 [2]. However, using coarser-grained steels usually invoke setbacks associated with a compensated notch toughness property. d) Shape and Size of Cross Section

Heat extraction during quenching is highly influenced by the geometry and size of the cross section of the sample material during a hardenability test. Bars of rectangular cross sections always achieve less depth of hardening than round bars of the same cross-sectional size which may be accounted to the greater effective surface area exposed for the latter shape. e) Quenching Media

determination utilizes a quantity called quenching severity factor, H, where the correspondence of a specific quenching medium and condition to the ideal critical diameter may be determined. However, objections concerning the assumption of a single H value for a quenching condition have risen. The need for a more generalized method was recognized when it was determined that the heat transfer coefficient at the interface between the metal surface and the surrounding quenchant changes dramatically during different stages of the quenching process for a vaporizable fluid [1]. Another method, the Jominy End-Quench Hardenability Test, developed by Jominy and Boegehold is used worldwide, described in many national standards, and available as an international standard [1]. The test has the following significant advantages: (1) it characterizes the hardenability of steel from a single specimen, allowing a wide range of cooling rates during a single test; and (2) it is reasonably reproducible [1]. This method essentially involves austenitizing a steel sample (following the standard parameters and procedures), soaking, and quickly quenching it through a jet of water in a Jominy apparatus. The Jominy Hardenability Curve is plotted after obtaining hardness readings across the length taken per 1/16 interval on a ground side of the sample. As all other factors are standardized (ie quenching media, austenitizing type, atc.), hardenability may be directly related to the distance from the quenched end. This experiment focused on the hardenability determination of an AISI 1020 steel sample as the method of Jominy End-Quench Hardenability Test was employed.

Quenching media and condition significantly affect the degree of hardenability that can be attained. For this reason, this factor is usually eliminated from correlations by applying similar condition for a specific hardenability test. f) Austenitizing Time and Temperature

Operating under sufficient austenitizing time and temperature is necessary in achieving complete initial transformation to austenite phase to consequently aid in complete martensite formation upon quenching the steel sample. Other variables being considered include grinding of the flats of the test bar, prevention of grinding burns, accuracy of measured distance from the quenched end, water temperature (if waterquenched), free water-jet height, and transfer time from the furnace to the quenching fixture [1].

2. Methodology
1.2 Hardenability Determination
Two of the most widely applied hardenability determination methods are the Grossmanns Hardenability Concept and the Jominy End-Quench Hardenability Test. Grossmans Hardenability Concept basically involves using a several pieces of cylindrical steels bars having different diameters which are uniformly austenitized initially then are quenched employing different quenching media and conditions. The respective cross sections are examined and the one having 50% martensite at its core is accounted to have the critical diameter. This may then be correlated to several other variables using Grossmans chart for ideal critical diameter. Moreover, this method of hardenability The steel specimen used by the group for the Jominy End-Quench Hardenability Test was an AISI 1020 steel 25.4mm (1inch) in diameter and around 100mm (4 inches) in length following the standard dimensions set for the method (refer to Figure 2). It was austenitized at the temperature of 868C for 1 hour, and quickly transferred to the Jominy apparatus for quenching for 20 minutes (refer to Figure3).

Figure 2. The AISI 1020 steel sample

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relation to the microstructure in a point of a certain distance from the quenched end.

3. Results and Discussion

A table summarizing the data obtained from the experiment is presented in Table 1 of the Appendices. From these data, the Jominy Hardenability Curves for replicates 1 and 2 were plotted with polynomial trendlines as shown in Figure 5 (refer to the Appendices). Polynomial trendline was chosen as it yields the curve with the most accurate fit to residuals as opposed to exponential, power, logarithmic and linear trendlines. The decreasing trend of the curves was as expected since the extent of martensite formation is greater in areas which are exposed to faster cooling rates (near the water-quenched end). In order to elaborate the characterization, the first derivative plots for the Jominy Hardenability Curves were generated with a polynomial trendline as shown in Figure 6 (refer to Appendices). These plots were taken with the absolute values of the slopes (|y/x|) plotted against the corresponding distances from the quenched end. It can be inferred from the graph that the rates of hardness reduction were greatest at around 5 to 12 HRC per inch, for the first inch from the quenched end. As the distance moved away from the quenched end, the rate of hardness reduction also decreased significantly (between the second to the third inch) at 1 to 3 HRC per inch though a gradual increase was again observed from the third going to the fourth inch at 2 to 8 HRC per inch. This result suggested that the highest rate of hardness drop as the distance moved away from the quenched end occurred along the area which was directly quenched with water. Furthermore it was previously established that the performance of steels depends on the properties associated with their microstructures, that is, on the arrangements, volume fractions, sizes, and morphologies of the various phases constituting a macroscopic section of steel with a given composition in a given processed condition [2]. Referring to the photomicrographs taken at points with different distances from the quenched end (see Figures 7-20 in the Appendices), the change in grain size and amount of cementite formation were highly indicative of the hardness yield at the specific points. For instance, it can be seen that the metallography in Figure 7 (microstructure nearest to the quenched end) was constituted with fine grains and high amount of cementite (black areas) throughout the region. Cementite structures are long and plate-like which form along grain boundaries inducing an increased brittleness throughout the region. The structure in Figure 7 resembled that of a martensite and therefore was expected to yield the

Figure 3. The Jominy Apparatus

It must be noted that this transfer to the Jominy apparatus has to be done as quick as possible to prevent delayed quenching which is known to induce a discontinuous cooling rate throughout the length of the sample. In effect, delayed quenching may substantially increase the depth of hardening and may compensate for lower hardenability of the steel [1].

Figure 4. Effect of delayed quenching to the Hardenability Curve of an AISI 4140 steel sample.
(From B. Liscic, S. Svaic, and T. Filetin, Workshop designed system for quenching intensity evaluation and calculation of heat transfer data. ASM Quenching and Distortion Control, Proceedings of First International Confererence On Quenching and Control of Distortion, Chicago, IL, 22 25 Sept. 1992, pp. 1726.)

Parallel flats were then ground on the opposite sides of the specimen where hardness test and metallographic readings were employed afterwards. For the two replicates of hardness readings, indentions were made at 1/16 gaps for the first inch, 1/8 for the next inch, and for the rest of the length On the other hand, 500x optical magnification of the Scanning Electron Microscope was used in obtaining the photomicrographs of the sample. A Hardenability Curve was plotted for both replicates to portray the trend of hardness values in

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greatest hardness reading. As the distance moves away from the quenched end, the grain sizes increased while the amount of cementite formation along the grain boundaries decreased. The microstructures varied from martensite to bainite to pearlite respectively as the distance moved away from the quenched end due to the difference in cooling rates at these sections of the sample. Consequently, hardness readings continued to decrease towards a greater distance from the quenched end. The standard cooling rate employed in a Jominy End-Quench Hardenability Test is that produced via water quenching the end of the sample at approximately 0.7 Kelvin/sec. When the critical cooling rate however is not attained, the standard test may not be sufficient to characterize hardenability since there will be no substantial change in the hardness curve because martensite will be obtained at every distance along the Jominy specimen [1]. This case is known to be that for airhardening steels which may be aided by increasing the upper mass of the specimen with the use of stainless steel cap (refer to Figure 21) which would result to a decreased, more attainable, critical cooling rate of the upper portion of the specimen.

sample which was water-quenched since the cooling rate for this condition surpassed the critical cooling rate required to achieve hardening up to the core of the sample. Although quenching with water yields higher hardenability, steels are not necessarily better because they are higher in hardenability There are many applications for which minimum, rather maximum, hardenability is needed [2]. Cracking and undesirable patterns of residual stresses are usually expected to form for steels having high hardenability values. Finally, some of the factors that may be accounted as the sources of error in the experiment include: (1) delayed quenching, (2) uneven surfaces subjected to hardness and metallographic testing, and (3) other deviations from the standard procedures and material specification indicated for a Jominy EndQuench Hardness Test. Although it was previously established that Jominy End-Quench Hardness Test was highly reproducible yielding consistent results for the same material test at varying laboratories, it was also known that slight deviations from the procedures can yield highly deviated result.

4. Conclusions
Hardenability of an AISI 1020 steel sample was characterized in this experiment employing the standard procedures for a Jominy End-Quench Test. Hardness readings decreased as the distance moved away from the quenched end which was directly related to the microstructure obtained at different points along the length of the specimen. Finegrained martensitic microstructure was observed at regions near the quenched end while coarse-grained non-martensitic (pearlite, bainite, ferrite) phases where dominant at regions distant from the quenched end. Additionally, the First Derivative Plot of the Hardenability Curve portrayed the largest rate of hardness reduction with 12 HRC per inch about 1/16 inch away from the quenched end corresponding to the highest hardness drop at the region as the distance moved away from the quenched end.

Figure 21. Modified Jominy Test using stainless steel cap (From A. Rose and L. Rademacher, Stahl Eisen 76(23):1570
1573, 1956 [in German].)

The effect of changing the quenching condition with the use of a different media, say oil (a more common quenching media for industrial applications), may be depicted referring back to Figure 1 where it can be seen that no essential hardness increase was attained with oil quenching for the unalloyed steel sample since the critical cooling rate was not achieved. On the other hand, through hardening was attained for the alloyed steel

Following the standard cooling rate is critical in the test. Although the Jominy end-quench test is used mostly for low-alloy steels for carburizing (core hardenability) and for structural steels, which are typically through-hardened in oils and tempered [1], several modifications were already developed to accommodate variations from the standard methodology. Air-hardening steels are usually aided with the use of stainless steel caps to reduce the critical cooling rate on the upper portions of the sample. Moreover, utilization of other cooling media with lower quenching severity factor affects

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the depth of hardening with respect to the cross section of the specimen. Lastly, hardenability requirements are dependent on the specific function of the product. High hardenability is not always desirable since it corresponds to low toughness. To ensure therefore that an appropriate type of material (with an appropriate hardenabilty with respect to variations in chemical composition) is chosen for a certain application, hardenability band (H-band) was set as one of the primary reference in purchasing steel products.

5. References
[1] Totten, George. Steel Heat Treatment Handbook. 2nd ed. Portland, Oregon, USA: Taylor & Francis, 2007. eBook.

[2] ASM International Handbook Committee. ASM Metals Handbook Vol I: Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High Performance Alloys. 10th ed. 1990. eBook. [3] Pollack, Herman. Materials Science and Metallurgy. 3rd ed. Reston, Virginia: A Prentice-Hall Company, 1981. Print. [4] Fong, H.S. Further Observations on the Jominy End Quench Test. Journal of Materials Processing Technology 38.1-2 (1993): n. pag. Web. 31 July 2011. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ pii/092401369391198F>. [5] Yazdi, A.Z. Prediction of Hardness at Different Points of Jominy Specimen Using Quench Factor Analysis Method. Journal of Materials Processing Technology 199.1-3 (2008): n. pag Web. 31 July 2011. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/ pii/S0924013607007339>.

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6. Appendices

6.1 Tables and Graphs

Table 1. Data obtained from the experiment Distance from Quenched End 1/16" 2/16" 3/16" 4/16" 5/16" 6/16" 7/16" 8/16" 9/16" 10/16" 11/16" 12/16" 13/16" 14/16" 15/16" 1" 1" and 1/8" 1" and 2/8" 1" and 3/8" 1" and 4/8" 1" and 5/8" 1" and 6/8" 1" and 7/8" 2" 2" and 1/4" 2" and 2/4" 2" and 3/4" 3" 3" and 1/4" 3" and 2/4" 3" and 3/4" 4" 4" and 1/4" Trial 1 60 61 60 61 61 61 61 60 60 61 60 60 59 59 58 59 58 58 58 57 57 58 56 56 55 55 55 55 54 54 55 54 55 Trial 2 60 60 61 60 60 59 60 59 59 59 59 59 59 58 58 59 58 58 58 58 57 57 57 56 56 56 55 55 55 55 54 55 54

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Jominy Hardenability Curves

Brinell Hardness
versus

Distance from Quenched End (in inches)

62 61 60 59 58 57 56 55 54 53

TRIAL 1: y = 0.4447x2 - 3.648x + 61.782 TRIAL 2: y = 0.2248x2 - 2.4572x + 60.558

0.06 0.31 0.56 0.81 1.06 1.31 1.56 1.81 2.06 2.31 2.56 2.81 3.06 3.31 3.56 3.81 4.06 Poly. (Trial 1) Poly. (Trial 2)

Figure 5. Jominy Hardenability Curves for replicates 1 and 2.

First Derivative Plot

|y/x| versus Distance from Quenched End
12 10 8 6 4 2 0 0.06 1.06 2.06 Poly. (Trial 1) 3.06 Poly. (Trial 2) 4.06

TRIAL 1: y = 1.504x2 - 7.6233x + 12.492 TRIAL 2: y = 1.8934x2 - 8.7368x + 11.132

Figure 6. First Derivative Plots for replicates 1 and 2.

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6.2 Microstructures of AISI 1020 Steel Sample (500x magnification)

Figure7. 4/16 from quenched end

Figure8. 8/16 from quenched end

Figure9. 12/16 from quenched end

Figure10. 1 from quenched end

Figure11. 20/16 from quenched end

Figure12. 24 /16 from quenched end

Figure13. 28/16 from quenched end

Figure14. 2 from quenched end

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Figure15. 36/16 from quenched end

Figure16. 40/16 from quenched end

Figure17. 44/16 from quenched end

Figure18. 3 from quenched end

Figure19. 52/16 from quenched end

Figure20. 56/16 from quenched end

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