Abstract
The rising demand for high-quality steel in construction, automotive, and other industrial sectors presents significant challenges, particularly regarding energy consumption and CO₂ emissions from large-scale production. This study explores the use of rapid tempering as a heat treatment strategy to enhance the mechanical properties of low carbon steel while potentially reducing the environmental footprint of steel manufacturing. Rapid tempering was performed following rapid austenitization at 1000 °C for 90 seconds using a 7-kW induction furnace, followed by quenching in ice water. Soaking times of 5, 15, and 20 seconds were applied during tempering, and results were compared with conventional heat treatment. The rapid tempering process resulted in a microstructure consisting of tempered martensite, with only slight morphological changes in the martensitic phase compared to conventional tempering, and the formation of markedly finer cementite precipitates. Mechanical testing demonstrated superior performance in rapid tempering, with the 5-second condition achieving the highest hardness (422.667 HV), tensile strength (1308.9 MPa), and yield strength (1270 MPa), while the 20-second condition yielded the highest toughness (139.336 J/cm²) and elongation (33.833%). Based on the balance among tensile strength, hardness, and toughness, the RA-RT 5- second specimen exhibited the most optimal mechanical performance.
Keywords
rapid tempering
rapid austenitization
induction furnace
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