Induction hardening is used to harden small cylinders of SAE 1074 steel. Parts were quenched with a high concentration of a polyalkylene glycol (PAG) type quenchant. Soft spots were found on a small percentage of the parts. These soft spots were consistently at one location about 2/3 from the bottom of the part. These soft spots were circular, and consistent in size. The product was examined and determined to be adequate and to specification. Using a lower concentration of quenchant, the quench speed was increased. While this reduced the number of soft spots, it did not eliminate the soft spots. Faster quenches were tried with similar results. Using Transvalor SIMHEAT, we were able to duplicate the results, and eliminate the source of soft spots.

Archaeological digs have found many types of knives, with varying quality of steel and microstructure. Typically, these steels are carbon steels with carbon contents on the order of 0.60%. Historically, there have been many myths concerning the quenchants used by ancient blacksmiths in the heat treatment of swords and knives. Various liquids have been cited in the archaeometallurgical literature as quenchants. Each of these quenchants is supposed to extend to the knife special and even mythical properties. However, none have been examined for cooling curve behavior. In this paper, various quenchants are examined for typical heat transfer, and microstructure is predicted for simple steels commonly used in ancient knife making.

Excessive distortion was observed in many small components made from 1080 steel that was neutral hardened following stamping. A study was then undertaken to determine how to reduce the distortion of the heat-treated parts while maintaining proper hardness and microstructure. A numerical simulation based on Simheat software was conducted to determine the effect of elevated temperature on the quenching oil used and its impact on distortion and microstructure. A second oil designed to operate at higher temperatures was also examined. Using Simheat software, the two oils were compared based on predicted distortion, hardness, and microstructure and the results were subsequently validated using empirical methods. It was concluded that a significant improvement in distortion could be achieved by using a different oil and higher quench temperatures.

The objective of this work is to develop the material and numerical models needed to simulate the carburizing process of an automotive gear. The paper discusses the factors that influence calculation time and accuracy and presents important equations and material property data. It describes how the simulation predicts local carbon content based on diffusion and how quenching computation provides information on stress states and residual stresses. It also explains how to account for the effects of grain growth, volume variation due to phase changes, and transformation plasticity.