The widespread use of alloy steels beginning in the early 1900s created the need to acquire and share information about heat treating, which previously had been a guarded art. This article describes advances in alloy steel technology in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Throughout metal making history, nothing has exceeded the technical importance, scientific complexity, and human curiosity involved in the hardening of steel. After the bustling 1890s, with its exciting and productive discoveries around steel metallography, a period of quiet consolidation occurred in the early 20th century. This article describes the breakthroughs in steel metallurgy that occurred after this period by such pioneers as William Chandler Roberts-Austen, Adolf Martens, Henry Marion Howe, and Edgar C. Bain.

In this article, the authors demonstrate the use of simulation software to optimize low-pressure carburizing (LPC) processes for high-alloy steels with strong carbide-forming elements.

Properties and performance of lower cost “simple” alloy steels processed using induction coupled thermomagnetic processing can rival those of conventionally processed, expensive specialty alloys. This article discusses some of the demonstrated improved mechanical properties achieved for steels in a industry-government project that evaluated the viability of processing metals in a strong magnetic field.

In order to expand the choice of materials available for use in additive manufacturing, parameters that consider welding metallurgy, laser powder interaction, and post processing must be developed. This article describes the outcomes of process development for a steel and stainless steel alloy that are not standard materials for laser powder bed fusion equipment.

Because alloy steel hardenability is such an important factor in part manufacturing, the Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE) is conducting research through simulations and laboratory testing aimed at learning more about the performance of gas quenching systems used to harden newer alloy steels. The primary goal of the study is to establish a standard method to evaluate gas-quench steel hardenability. Heat transfer coefficients will be determined for different gas pressures and during the cooling phase.

One of the greatest advances in modern metallurgy was the discovery of a steel that does not rust, which occurred after research into high chromium steels began. French researchers began adding chromium or nickel to heat treated alloy steels during the 1880s and 1890s, while German researchers began combining chromium with nickel in the 1890s. This article recounts the early history of stainless steel.

Martempering involves cooling steel from the austenitizing temperature and rapidly cooling into either specially formulated petroleum oil or a molten salt bath with a specific composition to a temperature slightly above the martensite start (Ms) transformation temperature of the steel. Martempering is performed to reduce distortion problems that may be encountered with conventional quenching methods. This article, adapted from the latest ASM Handbook on quenching and quenchants, describes suitable steels for martempering and variables that influence the process.

Boriding is performed by diffusing boron atoms into a metal surface and allowing the boron to react with elements present in the substrate to form metal-boride compounds. Upon diffusing enough boron into the surface, a metal-boride compound layer with high hardness precipitates and grows below the surface of the part. This article discusses boriding of ferrous alloys, including a new deep case boriding method that produces wear layer depths comparable to competitive processes such as carburizing, nitriding, thermal spray coatings, and hardfacing.

Active screen plasma nitriding and nitrocarburizing are relatively new processes in which a plasma discharge is applied to a metal screen surrounding the workload, generating highly reactive gas species that flow to the component surface. The active screen also radiates heat, resulting in a uniform temperature throughout the load. This article provides an overview of the two processes and presents examples of their use on stainless steel piston rings (nitriding) and 4142 and 1045 steels (nitrocarburizing).

Intensive quenching enables manufacturers to improve part performance at a lower cost than other available methods. This article describes how using direct-from-forge intensive quenching can significantly reduce the cost of manufacturing steel products when engineered into the lean part-making process.

Automotive die OEMs throughout Europe are using laser heat treatment (LHT) to deliver parts fast, with superior quality, at lower cost. This article presents a basic technical introduction to LHT and the results of a case study of LHT cost savings in automotive trim/form dies.

Edgar Bain pioneered the study of the reaction of austenite to lower temperature phases during isothermal transformation, resulting in a new phase named in his honor—Bainite.

Mechanical spot-joining methods such as self-pierce riveting (SPR) enable the use of different material combinations in vehicle design. The SPR technique provides a robust joint that often outperforms clinching and spot welding under both static and fatigue conditions, while providing fast cycle times and zero waste.

In recognition of ASM International's 100-year anniversary, AM&P highlights historic events and technological advancements that occurred over the course of those years. This issue extends the timeline from 1944 to 1953, which includes the publication of the A 36 structural steel standard, the keel laying ceremony for the U.S. Navy's first nuclear submarine (USS Nautilus ), and the maiden flight of Boeing's B-52 Stratofortress.

A powder metallurgy and hot isostatic pressing technology offers a new way to manufacture high pressure-retaining components for use in the power-generation industry.

Conserving utilities is the simplest, most practical way for heat treaters to reduce costs and remain competitive. This article describes fuel-based nitrogen cogeneration systems that may offer efficiency benefits and reduced emissions for certain heat treating plants.

Thin film cathodic arc PVD coatings offer an easy and economical way to optimize surface properties without changing bulk performance. This article describes a modified cathodic arc process called arc plasma acceleration (APA), which enables production of high density, thin film coatings containing minimal macroparticles.

From 1900 to 1960, there was little change in the steelmaking industry. That period of stasis came to an end with the introduction of steel minimills in the late 1960s.

The growth and exfoliation of thermally grown oxides, or scales, in steam power plants is a complex phenomenon that depends on alloy composition, microstructure (including surface condition), temperature, pressure, and plant operation. This article discusses the factors that contribute to oxide scale buildup in ultrasupercritical boiler tubes and ongoing efforts to mitigate problems due to steam-side oxidation and exfoliation in high-efficiency power plants.