The Development History of Heat Treatment Technology of Materials in China
Introduction
Heat treatment is an indispensable part of metal processing technology. As a comprehensive technology, it contains many content, such as metal structure, surface treatment, phase transformation and so on. Chinas material heat treatment technology development history and status quo can be traced back to ancient times. The heat treatment technology of ancient China is quite different from that of modern times in many aspects. This article will explore the development history of material heat treatment technology in China from ancient times to the 21st century, so as to illustrate the progress of material heat treatment technology in China.
The Dawn of Heat Treatment Technology in Ancient China
Heat treatment technology can be traced back to the bronze age in China. According to the archaeological data of the Bronze Age remains from the Shang Dynasty (1500-1046 BC), the methods of kiln heating and soft annealing treatment are widely used in foundry technology. According to ancient Chinese records, the heat treatment of non-ferrous metals in the early Zhou Dynasty (1046–221 BC) was widely used. Emperor Wudi of the Han Dynasty (202BC–220AD) wanted to make a powerful sword, so he asked the forging masters to use forging technology to forge a tougher and sharper knife. Many famous swords were made in his reign. It can be seen that heat treatment technology in the Han Dynasty has reached a certain level. It is known from historical records that the craftsmen of The Jin Dynasty (265-420) used quenching and tempering technology to process their weapons. They also used heat treatment technology to produce a variety of tools and weapons, which greatly improved their production efficiency and quality.
From the Song Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty
According to historical records, star-shaped blades and tao-shaped knives have been used in China since the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589). Technical craftsmanship of weapons reached a very high level. In the Song Dynasty (960-1279), the technology of quenching and tempering blade has been improved. In the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), it was a common practice to use quench and tempering to process weapons. In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), shields, helmets and blades were still made by quenching and tempering technology.
From the 16th Century to the 20th Century
From the 16th century to the 18th century, wrought iron and cast iron were widely used to manufacture various metal wares. With the development of gun powder warfare, the steel and metal production technology has been greatly improved. However, until the 19th century metal materials were still subjected to the traditional quenching and tempering process. In the 19th century, high-speed steel and alloy steel, which are quenched and tempered at high temperatures and oil cooled, were developed and used, which indicates that the heat treatment technology at this time has reached a relatively high level.
20th Century and Modern Times
In the 20th century, modern heat treatment technology and knowledge systems have been established. The invention of carburizing, nitriding and sintering technology has greatly improved the surface hardenability and strength of conventional steel, and has also made steel and metals possess excellent properties. Coupled with the development of electric heat treatment and related heat treatment equipment and instruments, this has greatly improved the manufacturing efficiency and quality of steel and metal materials. In addition, the development of atomization, solidification and crystal structure control technology has greatly enriched and improved the material heat treatment technology.
Conclusion
The development history of material heat treatment technology in China is long and varied, from bacteria in the Bronze Age to quenching and tempering, from nitriding and carburizing in the last century to modern electric heat treatment and atomization technology. The development of material heat treatment technology, which has been changing with each passing day, reflects the progress of modern material science and technology. From the history of material heat treatment technology, we can clearly see the development path of Chinese material heat treatment technology.
