Hardness Testing

Lesson 1: Metallurgical Background and Hardness vs. Hardenability

For information regarding this presentation, please contact Dan Emelander (Metallurgist) 713-939-2672

Steel
The majority of parts made by Cameron are made of steel
This includes low alloy steels, such as 4130 and 4140 Stainless Steels
Austenitic Stainless Steels, such as 316 Martensitic Stainless Steels, such as 410 Precipitation Hardened Stainless Steels, such as 17-4PH

The two main factors in determining a steels mechanical properties are its chemistry and its heat treatment

Hardness vs. Hardenability

Hardness is a material property that measures its resistance to penetration of its surface
The most common hardness test methods use an indenter with a fixed geometry under a specified load Basically, how easy or hard it is to push a ball into the surface Usually used as an estimate for the strength of the material or as a quality check to show a material was properly processed

Hardenability is a measure of how well the material responds to heat treatment

How easy it is, through heat treating, to increase the hardness at a given location in the material Mainly affected by the chemistry of the material

Quench and Tempering

Most low alloy steels, and some stainless steels used by Cameron are given a Quench and Temper heat treatment Quenching is done to harden the material. It consists of:
Heat to a high temperature (called austenitizing) Holding to equalize the temperature through the entire part Rapidly cooling the part in water, polymer, oil, or air

Tempering is done to restore some ductility and toughness in the hard, but brittle as-quenched part. It consists of:
Heat to a high temperature (but lower than the austenitizing ) Holding until the desired softening and increase in ductility is achieved Cooled to room temperature

Critical Cooling Rate

The less hardenable the material, the faster it must be cooled to obtain the correct properties The rate the part must be cooled in order to obtain the desired structure and properties When Quenching a part, the outside cools the fastest.
The larger the part, the longer it will take for the center to cool On larger parts, the center may not achieve the Critical Cooling Rate, making the center less hard

What Affects Hardenability in Steel?

Chemistry
Adding elements to the steel increases its hardenability
Carbon is the most effective alloying element Other elements that are added include:
Manganese (Mn) Chromium (Cr) Molybdenum (Mo) Silicon (Si) Nickel (Ni) Vanadium (V) Columbium (Cb) or Niobium (Nb)

The more you add of an element, the higher the hardenability (to a point)

Which Alloy has a Higher Hardenability?

Alloying Element 4140 4130

Carbon
Manganese Silicon Chromium

.40
.80 .20 .90

.31
.75 .20 .90

4140 has a higher hardenability

Effects of Heavy Cross-Sections

The hardenability affects how deep the required properties can be achieved in a material
In AISI 4130, it is only possible to get 75ksi in a cross section of up to about 4 In AISI 4140, it is possible to get 75ksi in a cross-section up to about 12
3 times the thickness as 4130, with the only difference being 0.1% more Carbon

Quench and tempered steel forgings will always be harder near the heat treated surface

4130 vs. 4140

Hardenability on 12 Bar Stock Distance from Surface Near OD 1 2 4 6 4130 HBW 223 207 179 170 170 4140 HBW 223 218 212 212 207

Stress Relieving in Steel

Stress relieving is required on some welds because hard spots are developed during welding
These spots can occur in the weld itself, or the heat affected zone (HAZ) They occur because during welding, the material is heated to a very high temperature, then cooled rapidly
Since only a small amount of material is heated, and there is a large amount of base material to act as a heat sink

Stress relieving acts as another Temper operation, reducing the hardness and restoring ductility

Stress Relieving in Steel

The hardness drop is directly related to:
The Material
Different materials react differently

Temperature
The closer to the tempering temperature, the larger the drop

Time at temperature
The longer the time, the larger the drop

Typical drop in hardness will be 0-6 HBW

Assuming temperature is 50F below the tempering temperature Assuming original hardness was not due to cold work

Nickel Alloys
Much more expensive than steel Advantages
Great corrosion resistance Some alloys have higher strengths than steel in H2S
For example, NACE allows up to 40 HRC in 718, which equals strengths well above 100ksi

Heat Treatment of Nickel Alloys

Most alloys are:
Solution annealed Solution annealed and Aged

Solution Annealing
Heating to a high temperature to mix all the elements together evenly, making a solution
1700-1950F for Inconel 718 2000-2200F for Inconel 625

Heat Treatment of Nickel Alloys

(Cont.)

Aging
Also known as Precipitation Hardening Heating to a high temperature and holding
1200-1500F for Inconel 718 1100-1300F for Inconel 625

At these temperatures, some elements in the material want to form other compounds
These compounds form particles throughout the material

The particles formed increase the strength of the material

Hardness also increases

Work Hardening in Nickel Alloys

Nickel alloys do work harden As material is deformed, it becomes stronger and harder
Surface preparation can cause work hardening Also depends on how fast the material is deformed

What does this mean?

Hardness tests will be sensitive to method used to prepare the surface

When in Doubtcall Metallurgy