Abstract: A holder having a baseplate with a tang extending rearwardly therefrom, a plurality of openings for receiving fasteners and a plurality of legs extending from the baseplate, the tang being heat treated or work hardened to harden the tang and facilitate its detachment for non-friable substrate applications. Work hardening may be accomplished, for example, by heating and quenching the tang to increase both its hardness and its brittleness to a level that allows the tang to be broken off with an impact force but not when inserted into a friable substrate so that the holder retains greater functionality.

Abstract: An apparatus for the heat-treating of a heat-hardenable steel cruciform article having a weld seam includes a heating element to heat the weld seam to a point that an austenitic transformation occurs, and a quenching chamber to cool the weld seam, causing the formation of Martensite and an associated expansion. The quenching is rapid since slow quenching may allow a crystalline phase other than martensite to form. The apparatus may comprise rollers operable to convey the welded cruciform article through the apparatus at a speed such that the weld seam is subjected to heating for a predetermined heat time sufficient to cause a formation of martensite there within, and such that the heated portion reaches the quenching chamber and is quenched to create a substantial amount of martensite, e.g., an amount sufficient to cause expansion of the part.

Abstract: Heat treatment processes for hardening a workpiece such as a turbine blade include attaching a spacer to a workpiece surface, wherein the spacer comprises an inner profile mirroring the workpiece surface and an outer profile effective to generally uniformly distribute heat to the workpiece surface, heating the spacer to uniformly heat the workpiece surface at a temperature effective to form an austenitic microstructure in the workpiece surface, cooling the workpiece surface at a rate effective to transform the austenitic microstructure to a martensitic microstructure, and removing the spacer from the workpiece prior to or subsequent to cooling.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the dry removal of the scale from the surface of a metal product comprising at least one heating area that does not reduce the specific surface of the material to be treated and does not cause oxidation, at least one reducing area for performing the reaction between a specific reducing gas (normally hydrogen) and at least the scale, at least one cooling area for cooling the metal product, means for heating the metal product, means for heating the reducing gas, means for controlling the fluid dynamics of the boundary layer produced by the flow of said reducing gas over the surface of the metal product, means for removing the reaction products from the reducing gas after the reaction, means for cooling the metal product, and means for removing the reaction products from the treated surface of the metal product.

Abstract: The oxide film thickness of the steel material surface (dH2O+do2) is made to become 15 nm or less where post-treatment after water-cooling is not needed by suitably setting the conditions of the water-cooling start temperature (Ti), water-cooling end temperature (To), steel material thickness (d), concentration of solute oxygen in the cooling water (Do), and cooling rate (CR) in the equation of dH2O+do2=7.98×10?4(Ti?To)dDo+{5.50×10?3(Ti2?To2)?6.51 (Ti?To)}/CR.

Abstract: A laser-welded single-piece forged-steel piston with an enclosed inner oil cooling chamber having the advantages of simple structure and easy manufacturing process, and capable of satisfying the requirement of engines for high power, high rigidity, and low discharge development, and its manufacturing process. The laser-welded single-piece forged-steel piston of the invention comprises a piston body member and a piston ring member, wherein the piston body member is welded together with the piston ring member through laser welding procedure, an enclosed inner oil cooling chamber is formed between the piston body member and the piston ring member, and is connected with the piston inner cavity by means of at least two oil inlet/outlet holes, and a pin hole is opened at the lower portion of the piston body member.

Abstract: The invention relates to steel for hot tooling, the composition of said steel being made up of the following weight percentages: 0.30%=C=0.39%, 4.00%=Cr=6.00%, traces=Si=0.50%, traces=Mn=0.80%, traces=W=1.45%, traces=Co=2.75%, 0.80%=Ni=2.80%, 1.50%=Mo=2.60% with 1.50%=Mo+0.65W=3.20%, 0.55%=V=0.80%, with 0.65=K=0.65, where K=K2?K1 and K2=0.75×(Ni 0.60), K1=1.43×(V0.40)+0.63×[(Mo+0.65W) 1.20], traces=Al=0.080%, traces=S=0.0040%, traces=P=0.0200%, traces=Ti=0.05%, traces=Zr=0.05%, traces=Nb=0.08%, traces=N=0.040%, 10P+As+5Sb+4Sn=0.21%, traces=O=30 ppm, the remainder being iron and inevitable impurities. The invention also relates to a part produced from said steel, to the method for the production thereof, and to the use of the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making an abrasion-resistant steel part consisting of 0.1%?C?0.23%; 0%?Si?2%; 0%?AI?2%; 0.5%?Si+AI?2%; 0%?Mn?2.5%; 0%?Ni?5%; 0%?Cr?5%; 0%?Mo?1%; 0%?W?2%; 0.05%?Mo+W/2?1%; 0%?B?0.02%; 0%?Ti?0.67%; 0%?Zr?1.34%; 0.05%?Ti+Zr/2?0.67%; 0%?S?0.15%; N<0.030, optionally 0% to 1.5% of Cu; optionally Nb, Ta and V such that Nb/2+Ta/4+V?0.5 %; optionally Se, Te, Ca, Bi, Pb contents ?0.1%; the rest being iron and impurities. Additionally: 0.095%?C*=C?Ti/4?Zr/8+7×N/8, Ti+Zr/2?7×N/2?0.05% and 1.05×Mn+0.54×Ni+0.5O×Cr+0.3×(Mo++W1/2)1/2+K>1.8, with K=1 if B?0.0005% and K=0 if B<0.0005%. After austenitization, the method consists in: cooling at a speed >0.5° C./s between AC3 and T=800?270×C*?90×Mn?37×Ni?70×Cr?83×(Mo+W/2) and about T?50° C.; then cooling at a speed 0.1<Vr<150×ep?1.7 between T and 100° C., (ep=thickness of plate in mm); cooling down to room temperature and optionally planishing. The invention also concerns the resulting plate.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for making an abrasion resistant steel plate having a chemical composition comprising: 0.35%?C?0.8%, 0%?Si?2%; 0%?AI?2%; 0.35%?Si+AI?2%; 0%?Mn?2.5%; 0%?Ni?5%; 0% ?Cr?5%; 0%?Mo?0.050; 0%?W?1%; 0,1%?Mo+W/2?0.5%; 0%?B?0.02%; 0%?Ti?2%; 0%?Zr?4%; 0.05%?Ti+Zr/2?2%; 0%?S?0.15%; N?0,03; optionally 0% to 1.5% of Cu; optionally Nb, Ta or V with Nb/2+Ta/4 +V?0.5%; optionally less than 0.1% of Se, Te, Ca, Bi or Pb; the rest being iron and impurities; the composition satisfying: 0.1 %<C*=C?Ti/4?Zr/8+7×N/8?0.55% and 1.05×Mn+0.54×Ni+0.5O×Cr+0.3×(Mo+W/2)1/2+K>1.8, with K=0.5 if B ?0.0005% and K=0 if B<0.0005% and Ti+Zr/2?7×N/2?0.05%; hardening after austenitization while cooling at a speed >0.5 ° C./s between a temperature >AC3 and ranging between T=800?270×C*?9O×Mn?37×Ni?70×Cr?83×(Mo+W/2) and T?50° C.; then at a core speed Vr<1150×ep?1.7 between T and 100° C., (ep=plate thickness in mm); cooling down to room temperature. The invention also concerns the resulting plate.

Abstract: The invention is a method of making a steel article comprising carbide banding by using steel with undissolved carbides distributed within the steel, wherein the steel is about 0.3 weight percent to about 2.2 weight percent carbon and at least 0.003 weight percent of chromium, molybdenum, aluminum, vanadium, tungsten, or a similar carbide forming element; then, heating the steel with carbides for a time ranging between about 5 minutes to about 12 hours at a temperature above an A-sub 1 temperature and below 50 degrees Fahrenheit of an A-sub 3 temperature to form an austenitic steel with undissolved carbides; and cooling the austenitic steel with undissolved carbides to maintain the undissolved carbides within a chosen crystalline matrix creating carbide banding in the steel.

Abstract: A hot forged product including hardened areas introduced by partial cooling after hot forging, and unhardened areas, wherein Vickers hardness V1 of the hardened areas on the surface and Vickers hardness V2 of the unhardened areas satisfy the following formula (1): (V1?V2)/V2: 0.1 to 0.8.

Abstract: Disclosed is an efficient heat treatment method which can be performed in a short time. Specifically disclosed is a method for heat-treating a steel material wherein a plastically deformed steel work is introduced into a heat treatment furnace when the work still retains the heat applied thereto during the plastic deformation, then the work is heated preferably at a heating rate of 15-50 DEG C./min and held at a temperature between Ac1 and Ac3 for 10 minutes or less, and then the work is slowly cooled at a cooling rate of 5-45 DEG C./min. This heat treatment method enables to easily produce a steel material having a uniform metal structure by simple facilities.

Abstract: A spray quench system is provided with one or more spray quench rings that eject a controlled volume of spray onto a workpiece passing through the quench rings. The quench rings can be adjusted in position independently of each other relative to the workpiece being sprayed. Reflected spray guards may be provided to prevent spray interference between adjacent quench rings. The outlets of the quench rings may be adjustable in volume. A controller can be provided to optimize the distribution of quench cooling flows from the quench rings. Sets of quench rings with different diameters in each set may be provided in modular form.

Abstract: A carbon steel alloy that exhibits the combined properties of high strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance is one whose microstructure contains ferrite regions combined with martensite-austenite regions, with carbide precipitates dispersed in the ferrite regions but without carbide precipitates are any of the interfaces between different phases. The microstructure thus contains of four distinct phases: (1) martensite laths separated by (2) thin films of retained austenite, plus (3) ferrite regions containing (4) carbide precipitates. In certain embodiments, the microstructure further contains carbide-free ferrite regions.

Abstract: Carbon steels of high performance are disclosed that contain dislocated lath structures in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of austenite, but in which each grain of the dislocated lath structure is limited to a single microstructure variant by orienting all austenite thin films in the same direction. This is achieved by careful control of the grain size to less than ten microns. Further improvement in the performance of the steel is achieved by processing the steel in such a way that the formation of bainite, pearlite, and interphase precipitation is avoided.

Abstract: A high-strength, high-toughness steel alloy includes, generally, about 2.5% to about 4% chromium, about 1.5% to about 3.5% tungsten, about 0.1% to about 0.5% vanadium, and about 0.05% to 0.25% carbon with the balance iron, wherein the percentages are by total weight of the composition, wherein the alloy is heated to an austenitizing temperature and then cooled to produce an austenite transformation product.

Abstract: A process for producing a component of metal includes a) carrying out a heat treatment to harden the component, which ends with a heating process, especially with a tempering or microstructural transformation process, at a given temperature (TE); b) carrying out at least machining of the component at room temperature (TU) in order to provide its desired geometrical shape; and c) subsequent heating of the component to a temperature (T) which is greater than room temperature (TU).

Abstract: An iron based, fine-grained, martensitic stainless steel essentially free of delta ferrite has a nominal composition of (wt. %): 0.05<C<0.15; 7.5<Cr<15; 2<Ni<5; Co<4; Cu<1.2; Mn<5; Si<1; (Mo+W)<4; 0.01<Ti<0.75; 0.135<(1.17Ti+0.6Zr+0.31Ta+0.31Hf)<1; V<2; Nb<1; N<0.02; Al<0.2; Al and Si both present such that (Al+Si)>0.01; B<0.1; P<0.1; S<0.03; and the balance essentially iron and impurities. This steel is different from other martensitic stainless steels because thermal mechanical treatment is used to refine the grains and precipitate a relatively uniform dispersion of fine, coarsening-resistant, MX-type particles. The steel combines high strength and impact toughness with good corrosion resistance.

Abstract: A steel wire rods and bars for machine structural use having, in the as-hot-rolled state, the same cold workability as a conventional steel wire rods and bars subjected to softening annealing after hot rolling, and a production method thereof are provided. This hot-rolled wire rods and bars usable for machine structural use without annealing comprises, in terms of mass %, C: 0.1 to 0.5%, Si: 0.01 to 0.5%, Mn: 0.3 to 1.5% and the balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities and if desired, comprises strengthening elements, wherein the microstructure of steel is composed of ferrite and pearlite, the ferrite grain size is No. 11 or more as defined in JIS G 0552, a granular carbide having an equivalent-circle diameter of 2 ?m or less and an aspect ratio of 3 or less is contained in an area ratio of 5 to 40%, and the steel wire rods and bars has a tensile strength TS (MPa)?573×Ceq+257 and a reduction of area RA (%)??23×Ceq+75 (wherein Ceq=C+Si/7+Mn/5+Cr/9+Mo/2).

Abstract: Martensitic stainless steel whose steel composition is restricted within a specific range for each element is provided. The scale layer formed on the surface of the base material consists of an inner layer scale mainly including FeCr2O4 and an outer layer scale having a thickness of not more than 20 ?m, which outer layer is deposited on the inner layer scale at a surface coverage of not less than 1% and not more than 15%. The application of rust preventive oil onto the surface of the steel ensures an excellent weather resistance during a long term, and therefore a martensitic stainless steel forming no rust either in the outdoor depository or in the indoor depository can be provided. The steel can be used to manufacture, not only steel pipes, but also steel plates, steel rods and others in a wide application field.

Abstract: An iron based, fine-grained, alloy.

Abstract: A method of post-solidification processing to minimize the content of extremely coarse grain-refining precipitates that may form during solidification is low-alloy and alloy high-strength steels containing approximately 0.09-0.17% by weight C so as to provide improved toughness in a wrought and heat-treated product. The method entails cooling an as-cast steel at a reduced rate in a furnace held at a temperature in excess of the equilibrium solution temperature for AlN in austenite. The steel is maintained at this temperature for a sufficient amount of time to effect the dissolution of coarse AlN precipitates in the microstructure, and the so-treated steel is then cooled at any desired rate to room temperature or to a hot-rolling temperature.

Abstract: A process of production of a compressor shoe superior in durability and reduced in manufacturing cost, wherein a process of quenching the shoe is performed in a vacuum, inert gas, or modified gas so as to prevent oxidation of the chrome and manganese of the surface of the material or the quenching process is performed after forming an antioxidation film on the surface of the material to prevent the oxidation of the chrome and manganese.

Abstract: Carbon steels of high performance are disclosed that contain a three-phase microstructure consisting of grains of ferrite fused with grains that contain dislocated lath structures in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of austenite. The microstructure can be formed by a unique method of austenization followed by multi-phase cooling in a manner that avoids bainite and pearlite formation and precipitation at phase interfaces. The desired microstructure can be obtained by casting, heat treatment, on-line rolling, forging, and other common metallurgical processing procedures, and yields superior combinations of mechanical and corrosion properties.

Abstract: The invention concerns the modification of the thermal profile developed by a product during treatment, in particular in a reheating furnace. The invention is characterised in that it consists in decreasing the treating time of the products, while increasing the available heating power, thereby enabling to reduce the thickness of the decarburized layer and/or the thickness of the calamine layer, hence decreasing melting losses.

Abstract: The present invention provides cast high-carbon steel having high strength and plasticity and a method for its formation. In the method, forming during cooling from the melting point through temperature control results in a structure having small size cementite grains supported in a plastic matrix. Alloys other than high-carbon steel, including nickel, titanium, zirconium, and aluminum, can also be produced by the process.

Abstract: A low-alloy heat-resistant steel may be used to manufacturing a large element which has uniform superior high temperature properties through a surface layer to a center part. The low-alloy heat-resistant steel comprises carbon in an amount of 0.20 to 0.35% by weight, silicon in an amount of 0.005 to 0.35% by weight, manganese in an amount of 0.05 to 1.0% by weight, nickel in an amount of 0.05 to 0.3% by weight, chromium in an amount of 0.8 to 2.5% by weight, molybdenum in an amount of 0.1 to 1.5% by weight, tungsten in an amount of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, vanadium in an amount of 0.05 to 0.3% by weight, phosphorus in an amount not greater than 0.012% by weight, sulfur in an amount not greater than 0.005% by weight, copper in an amount not greater than 0.10% by weight, aluminum in an amount not greater than 0.01% by weight, arsenic in an amount not greater than 0.01% by weight, tin in an amount not greater than 0.01% by weight, antimony in an amount not greater than 0.

Abstract: A high-strength, high-toughness steel alloy includes, generally, about 2.5% to about 4% chromium, about 1.5% to about 3.5% tungsten, about 0.1% to about 0.5% vanadium, and about 0.05% to 0.25% carbon with the balance iron, wherein the percentages are by total weight of the composition, wherein the alloy is heated to an austenitizing temperature and then cooled to produce an austenite transformation product.

Abstract: A steel workpiece maintained at a specified quenching temperature is rapidly cooled to a temperature just above the martensite transformation start point (Ms point) by being immersed in a high-temperature quenching oil. Thereafter, the steel workpiece is taken out of the high-temperature quenching oil so as to be soaked by the heat possessed by the steel workpiece and subsequently cooled by being immersed in the high-temperature quenching oil. Through these processes, a temperature difference between steel workpieces or the portions of a steel workpiece in the martensite transformation stage is reduced, and a cooling speed in a high-temperature region (not lower than about 550° C.) is made to be a slow speed sufficient for restraining a thermal distortion, by which the quenching distortion and quenching variation can be reduced.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of producing a hard metallic material by forming a mixture containing at least 55% iron and at least one of B, C, Si and P. The mixture is formed into an alloy and cooled to form a metallic material having a hardness greater than about 9.2 GPa. The invention includes a method of forming a wire by combining a metal strip and a powder. The strip and the powder are rolled to form a wire containing at least 55% iron and from 2-7 additional elements including at least one of C, Si and B. The invention also includes a method of forming a hardened surface on a substrate by processing a solid mass to form a powder, applying the powder to a surface to form a layer containing metallic glass, and converting the glass to a crystalline material having a nanocrystalline grain size.

Abstract: This invention relates to application of eco-friendly starch solution as a quenching medium for heated metal parts fabricated from steel, alloy steel, aluminum and aluminum alloys. Depending on the material grade, critical temperature and desired cooling rate, various types of starch solution can be used and the composition and concentration of the starch quenchant can be tailored to provide the required cooling characteristics for wide range of materials. In particular the starch solutions have the potential to replace quenching oil. The starch solutions are environmentally friendly, having no toxic fumes and no after usage disposal liabilities as compared to oil fumes.

Abstract: Objects formed of engineering and tool steels are quenched from above 850° C. by immersion in an aqueous suspension of inorganic particles. The greater the proportion of particles, the slower the quench. The suspension may be saturated with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A grinding ball having a 55 to 65 Rockwell C hardened outer shell of tempered martensite is adapted for use in a heavy duty grinding environment by stress relieving to stabilize the ball against break-up and/or spalling.

Abstract: Carbon steels of high performance are disclosed that contain dislocated lath structures in which laths of martensite alternate with thin films of austenite, but in which each grain of the dislocated lath structure is limited to a single microstructure variant by orienting all austenite thin films in the same direction. This is achieved by careful control of the grain size to less than ten microns. Further improvement in the performance of the steel is achieved by processing the steel in such a way that the formation of bainite, pearlite, and interphase precipitation is avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus for the rolling and heat treatment of elongated metal product of relatively small cross section, such as rods and bars, is described in which the elements required for the conduct of a variety of heat treatments are arranged in in-line disposition whereby any of several heat treatment procedures can be performed on the product without need for transferring the product to remotely located heat treatment facilities. The methods of performing various heat treatments through use of the disclosed apparatus are also described.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of producing a hard metallic material by forming a mixture containing at least 55% iron and at least one of B, C, Si and P. The mixture is formed into an alloy and cooled to form a metallic material having a hardness greater than about 9.2 GPa. The invention includes a method of forming a wire by combining a metal strip and a powder. The strip and powder are rolled to form a wire containing at least 55% iron and from 2-7 additional elements including at least one of C, Si and B. The invention also includes a method of forming a hardened surface on a substrate by processing a solid mass to form a powder, applying the powder to a surface to form a layer containing metallic glass, and converting the glass to a crystalline material having a nanocrystalline grain size.

Abstract: A steel workpiece maintained at a specified quenching temperature is rapidly cooled to a temperature just above the martensite transformation start point (Ms point) by being immersed in a high-temperature quenching oil. Thereafter, the steel workpiece is taken out of the high-temperature quenching oil so as to be soaked by the heat possessed by the steel workpiece and subsequently cooled by being immersed in the high-temperature quenching oil. Through these processes, a temperature difference between steel workpieces or the portions of a steel workpiece in the martensite transformation stage is reduced, and a cooling speed in a high-temperature region (not lower than about 550° C.) is made to be a slow speed sufficient for restraining a thermal distortion, by which the quenching distortion and quenching variation can be reduced.

Abstract: A method for heat-treating steel, which method uses a coolant having a large coefficient of heat transfer and which method treats the steel at low cost and in an environment-friendly manner (no pollution), and an apparatus for the method. The heat-treatment method cools austenitized steel in a coolant, which is a mixture of solid particles and water. It is desirable to cool the steel by passing it through a deposited layer of the solid particles in the water. It is desirable that the solid particles be oxides or graphite powders. It is also desirable to fluidize the solid particles. One type of the heat-treatment apparatus submerges steel in a coolant bath described below. The coolant bath comprises (a) a liquid bath that contains water and (b) a solid-particle bath that is partitioned in the liquid bath by a mesh and that contains solid particles. The mesh has openings smaller than the particle diameter of the solid particles.

Abstract: A method for quenching steel parts having undergone a low-pressure thermal processing, which consists of submitting the parts to a high-pressure air flow.

Abstract: Objects formed of engineering and tool steels are quenched from above 850° C. by immersion in an aqueous suspension of inorganic particles. The greater the proportion of particles, the slower the quench. The suspension may be saturated with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Large sections of solution annealed, precipitation hardenable alloys which are resistant to internal cracking yet fully hardenable can be produced if, during rapid quenching, the temperature of the section is allowed to stabilize immediately above the alloy's solvus temperature before the section is rapidly quenched. Preferably, the temperature of the section is allowed to stabilize a second time, this time at an elevated temperature not so high that significant phase changes occur, before the section is cooled to ambient.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for joint oxydation and heat treatment of workpieces at temperatures ≦1300° in the treatment chamber of an oven containing a neutral or reactive gas in a temperature range above 570°. In order for the process to be reproducible and to produce homogeneous oxide layers, the PH2O/PH2 ratio is adjusted after transformation of the workpiece structure such as found at the ambient temperature into the structure wanted during the heat treatment in such a way that the line FeO+H2=Fe+H2O is exceeded and an oxide layer is formed from FEO<10 &mgr;m.

Abstract: A quenching apparatus and a method for hardening steel parts is disclosed. The method optimizes cooling conditions preventing the occurrence of film boiling and the “self-regulated thermal process” while optimizing the depth of the hardened layer and providing increased strength for the steel part. The optimum depth of hardening is considered to be when the surface compressive stresses on the part are at their maximum value and depth. In addition, “maximum” steel strength is achieved when the cooling rate of the part is above a certain minimum level. However, additional strengthening of the part occurs when the rate of cooling avoids both film boiling and subsequent nucleate boiling, and cooling of the part proceeds directly into the convection cooling process. At the end of the quenching process, some steel parts may benefit from isothermal cooling in air, i.e., self tempering.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool steel composition comprising, expressed in weight percentage: C 0.3%-0.4% Cr 2.0%-4.0% Mo 0.8%-3.0% V 0.4%-1.0% W 1.5%-3.0% Co 1.0%-5.0% Si 0 %-1.0% Mn 0 %-1.0% Ni 0 %-1.0% the balance being mainly constituted by iron and inevitable impurities, and also to a method of preparing the composition.

Abstract: Alloy steels that combine high strength and toughness with high corrosion resistance are achieved by a dislocated lath microstructure, in which dislocated martensite laths that are substantially free of twinning alternate with thin films of retained austenite, with an absence of autotempered carbides, nitrides and carbonitrides in both the dislocated martensite laths and the retained austenite films. This microstructure is achieved by selecting an alloy composition whose martensite start temperature is 350° C. or greater, and by selecting a cooling regime from the austenite phase through the martensite transition region that avoids regions in which autotempering occurs.

Abstract: The invention relates to medium carbon steels and low alloy steels having a concentration of a machinability enhancing agent (“MEA”), i.e. tin and/or antimony, at its ferrite grain boundaries which enhances the steel's machinability and to processes for producing such steels. The invention encompasses medium carbon steels and low alloy steels characterized by having MEA bulk contents of from about 0.02 to about 0.09 weight percent, by having the sum of the MEA bulk content and the copper bulk content being no greater than about 0.10 weight percent, and by having a microstructure at the time of machining having a concentration of MEA at ferrite grain boundaries in an amount at least about five times the MEA bulk content of the steel.

Abstract: A method for heat-treating a component of steel or cast iron, particularly a through hardening bearing steel component, involves heating the component to the austenitization temperature and holding the component at the austenitization temperature to achieve austenitization, rapidly quenching the component to approximately the martensite starting point (MS temperature) and holding the component at the bainite transformation temperature until partial bainite transformation occurs. After partial bainite transformation, the component is cooled down to and briefly held at room temperature, followed by short-cycle tempering.

Abstract: The invention relates to free-machining steels which do not rely on lead as a means of enhancing machinability. Instead, the steels of the invention employ concentrations of tin, arsenic, and/or antimony at ferrite grain boundaries to replicate a role of lead, which the inventors have discovered, in enhancing machinability. This role is to cause an embrittlement at the localized cutting zone temperatures by changing the fracture mode from transgranular to intergranular at those temperatures. The invention's use of concentrations of tin, arsenic, and/or antimony at the ferrite grain boundaries of the steel permits the machinability-enhancing effect to be obtained while employing bulk contents of tin, arsenic, and/or antimony below the levels at which hot tearing becomes problematic.

Abstract: A medium-carbon steel is provided having a dispersed fine spherical graphite structure, having high mechanical strength, good processability, and good machinability, and having fine ZrC functioning as nucleation sites for graphite. The medium-carbon steel having a dispersed fine spherical graphite structure is manufactured by providing a composition containing 0.1 to 1.5% Si, 1.0% or less C, and 0.01 to 0.5% Zr. After the composition or a material of the composition (ingot) has been hot-rolled, or after the hot-rolled steel has been heat-treated at 750 to 1300° C. for 0.5 to 10 hours (solution heat treatment) after hot-rolling, or after the hot-rolled and heat-treated steel has further been water-quenched to deposit fine ZrC particles in the matrix, the steel is subjected to graphitization treatment by heat-treating at a temperature of 740° C. or below for 0.5 to 100 hours to grow graphite using ZrC as the nucleation site.

Abstract: The liquid quenching system includes a method and apparatus for heat treating small parts discharged from a furnace. The apparatus includes a bearing and bearing support that provide cantilevered support to a rotary quenching drum. A rotatable joint that rotatably connects the rotary quenching drum to a transfer chute does not provide the majority of support for the rotary quenching drum. Accordingly, the rotatable joint can comprise no bearing at all or can be an inexpensive, easy to manufacture bearing or other juncture device. A protection member is connected to the output end of the transfer chute and protects the rotatable joint from damage from contact with metal parts that are being quenched.