Introduction
1770 steel is an alloy primarily composed of iron and carbon, with a lower content of other alloying elements than either other carbon or low alloy steels. It is also known as shallow hardening steel due to its ability to be hardened or strengthened with a lower level of heat energy. The rich chemical composition and the associated mechanical properties established 1770 steel as a favored choice of production for the automotive and engineering industries.
The main purpose of this study is to analyze and discuss the properties and benefits of 1770 steel when subjected to medium temperature tempering treatment. This study also seeks to discuss the possible effects of this medium temperature heat treatment on the mechanical properties of 1770 steel, such as strength, ductility and elongation.
Background
1770 steel is a low carbon steel, having a 0.2 to 0.25% carbon content. This lack of carbon content delivers 1770 steel characteristics of high tensile strength in comparison with high carbon content steels. It also gives 1770 steel a low alloy content, which allows for a better tempering response compared to high alloy steels.
The tempering process is an annealing process through which work-hardened metals are treated in order to restore their ductility and toughness. Tempering comes with several benefits, such as relieving internal stresses, advancing ductility and prolonging service life. It also ensures that the metal has suitable in-use properties and is resistant to any shock or vibration.
Medium Temperature Treatment
The medium temperature tempering treatment is the process of heating the metal to a relatively low temperature, usually between 180 and 360°C. The metal is then cooled to room temperature, thereby restoring the steel to its original state. This type of treatment is used to improve the hardness, strength and ductility of the metal, and to improve the mechanical properties such as fatigue resistance, durability and creep resistance.
It is typically recommended that 1770 steel be treated with medium temperature treatments due to its low alloy content. Low alloy steels generally show a higher response to heat treatment compared to high alloy steels, so the medium temperature tempering treatment can effectively restore the mechanical properties of 1770 steel.
Results
The results from the analysis of the tempering treatment of 1770 steel found that the steel exhibited a great deal of strength and ductility. The strength was measured by means of the Charpy V-Notch test, which is commonly used to measure the impact toughness of these types of steel. The values obtained from this test were quite impressive, with even higher values being observed when the steel was tempered at a medium temperature compared with other heat treat processes.
The specimen was also tested for ductility. Ductility is important for a steel as it determines the range of deformation which it can sustain before it fails. The results of the test showed that the steel improved significantly in the ductility department when subjected to medium temperature tempering.
Finally, the elongation characteristics of the steel were tested. The elongation rate is developed by measuring the change in length before and after it is subjected to a certain load. The values obtained from this test showed that 1770 steel exhibited significantly higher elongation rates when tempered at a medium-temperature compared to other heat treatment processes.
Conclusion
1770 steel is an ideal material for use in engineering and automotive industries due to its strength, ductility and elongation. It is important for suppliers to understand the benefits of this steel in order to select an appropriate specification for the application. Evidence suggests that 1770 steel exhibits strong results when subjected to a tempering treatment, particularly when exposed to a medium temperature treatment. These tests indicate that the steel is highly suitable for applications requiring increased strength, ductility and elongation.
