Mn18 steel is a type of alloy steel that is known for its toughness and strength. It is often used in applications in which a high degree of strength and durability are required, such as in automobile and heavy equipment components. Mn18 has an impressive yield point of 1,850 megapascals, and is often used as a substitute for steel alloys of similar strength, such as the 18 chrome nickel alloy known as the 18/8. This alloy was originally designed to replace the 18-555 chromium molybdenum steel alloy, which was used in airframes and industrial engineering components.
Mn18 is a heat-treated grade which has undergone a transformation in its composition as a result of treating it with more heat than what is normally needed for conventional steel alloys. Heat treatment alters the mechanical properties of the steel, such as increasing its hardness, dimensional stability and its ability to resist wear and tear.
Mn18 is cooled slowly after its furnace treatment by a process called annealing. This slows the cooling process and allows for the atoms to rearrange themselves and form into larger, more stable crystalline structures. When Mn18 is subjected to an annealing process, the atoms form into larger crystalline structures and increase its hardness, which results in it being more resistant to wear, tear and impact.
After the annealing process, Mn18 undergoes a process known as deformation. This is a series of cold working processes used to strengthen the steel, such as cold-rolling, cold-forming and cold hammering. All of these methods involve manipulating the steel at temperatures below the re-crystallization point of the material, which results in the break-up and re-coagulation of the atoms into larger and stronger crystalline structures. Deformation strengthens the steel and increases the yield strength of the steel, which makes it ideal for the production of automobile and industrial components.
Mn18 is then subjected to a tempering process at temperatures above the re-crystallization point, but below its melting point. This process helps modify the properties of the steel and regulates its hardness, ductility and malleability. After tempering, Mn18 can be cooled quickly to form a martensitic microstructure which gives it strength, durability and resistance to wear and tear.
Mn18 is then subjected to a number of microstructural analyses which involve the examination of the crystal structure of the steel and its mechanical properties under a scanning electron microscope (SEM). A microstructural analysis document for Mn18 will detail the structure and composition of the steel, along with its mechanical properties such as hardness, yield strength, yield point and other tensile figures. This gives machine operators an understanding of the capacity and limits of the steel and is an important stage of the production process.
Mn18 has a wide range of applications due to its impressive strength, toughness and durability. Typical applications of Mn18 include automotive components, turbines and engine components, gears, shafts and other types of moving parts. Due to its resistance to wear and tear, this steel is ideal for applications with heavy loads and frequent changes in torque, as well as for components used in damp and marine environments. Mn18 is also often used to manufacture tools and dies as it can handle high cutting and forming stresses.
