Cold Hardening of AISI 304N (00Cr19Ni9N) and AISI 304N (00Cr18Ni10N)
Steel is a widely used material in our daily life. It is strong and durable, making it ideal for many manufacturing applications. On the other hand, heat treatment is an important way for manufacturers to modulate the properties of steel and to obtain good mechanical properties. For example, cold hardening is a process to improve the hardness of steel. AISI 304N (00Cr19Ni9N) and AISI 304N (00Cr18Ni10N) are two of the most commonly used steels and are excellent candidates for cold hardening. This article will discuss the cold hardening process of AISI 304N (00Cr19Ni9N) and AISI 304N (00Cr18Ni10N).
Cold hardening is a process of hardening steel in which the steel is slowly cooled below its transformation temperature. During cold hardening, the steel’s atomic structure is altered, resulting in a higher degree of crystallinity, increased brittleness, and improved hardness. Cold hardening is often used to enhance the hardness of steel components and to make them less prone to wear. In order for the cold hardening process to be effective, it must be performed by controlling the cooling rate of the steel.
AISI 304N is a low-carbon austenitic stainless steel with austenitic-ferritic dual phase structure. It has a good combination of strength and toughness, combined with moderate corrosion resistance. AISI 304N is also a non-magnetic stainless steel. Though it is harder than non-hardenable austenitic stainless steels, it still cannot be hardened like martensitic stainless steels.
Therefore, cold hardening of AISI 304N (00Cr19Ni9N) and AISI 304N (00Cr18Ni10N) steels can be used to achieve higher hardness values than can be achieved through conventional heat treating methods. When cold hardening, excellent results can be achieved through careful control of cooling rates and cycles. As the cooling rate is decreased, the hardness of the steel increases; however, too rapid a cooling rate can lead to a decrease in toughness and adherence to dimensions.
When cold hardening AISI 304N (00Cr19Ni9N) and AISI 304N (00Cr18Ni10N) steels, it is important to understand the effects of cooling rate, hold time, and tempering. Cooling rate affects the hardness of the steel, as well as its Carburizing Kinetics (CK). Lower cooling rates will allow hydrogens to be exchanged between the metal and the carburizing medium, creating a harder steel than one which is cooled rapidly. Hold time, or the time the steel is kept at its transformation temperature, is important for the austenitizing process, as the hold time can significantly affect the final structure of the steel. Lower tempering temperatures will allow steel to be difficult to work with and to maintain strength while cold hardening.
In order to achieve desirable results when cold hardening AISI 304N (00Cr19Ni9N) and AISI 304N (00Cr18Ni10N) steels, it is essential to control the cooling rate, hold time and tempering temperatures. Through these steps, it is possible to achieve increased hardening and improved wear resistance of the steels. Cold hardening is a useful tool for improving the hardness of stainless steels and results in greater wear resistance and improved fatigue strength.
