What are the heat treatment processes for 42CrMo steel pipes? What is the corresponding hardness?

42CrMo is a commonly used alloy structural steel known for its excellent mechanical properties and heat treatment plasticity. It is widely applied in the manufacturing of mechanical components and engineering machinery. Heat treatment is one of the critical processes that enable 42CrMo to achieve superior performance. This article will introduce the characteristics and applications of 42CrMo from the perspective of heat treatment processes and hardness.

42CrMo is a high-strength alloy structural steel with good comprehensive mechanical properties, suitable for manufacturing parts and equipment that require high strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and hardness.

Due to its excellent mechanical properties and heat treatment plasticity, 42CrMo is widely used in various industrial fields such as engineering machinery, automotive components, oil machinery, and aerospace. The heat treatment process significantly affects the performance of 42CrMo. Different heat treatment processes can result in varying hardness, strength, and toughness.

The heat treatment process for 42CrMo involves heating the steel to a certain temperature, holding it at that temperature, and then cooling it, causing phase changes that alter its microstructure and properties. The main heat treatment processes for 42CrMo include annealing, normalizing, quenching, and tempering.

Main heat treatment processes for 42CrMo steel pipes and their effects:

  • Annealing: Used to eliminate internal stress and improve processing performance.
  • Normalizing: Increases the material’s strength and hardness.
  • Quenching: Enhances the material’s strength, hardness, and wear resistance.
  • Tempering: Reduces the material’s brittleness and increases toughness.

The typical hardness of 42CrMo delivered is between 240-270HB. After normalizing, the hardness can increase to 280-320HB. After quenching, the hardness can reach 50-55HRC, and after tempering, it is approximately 50HRC. Different heat treatment processes correspond to different hardness levels, strengths, and toughness.

Changes in hardness of 42CrMo steel pipes under different heat treatments:

  • Unprocessed 42CrMo has a hardness of approximately 180→200HB.
  • After annealing, the hardness of 42CrMo can reach 220→230HB.
  • After normalizing, the hardness of 42CrMo can reach 250→300HB.
  • After quenching and tempering, the hardness of 42CrMo can reach about 280→340HB.

Quenching and Tempering: Heating 42CrMo to 850-880°C, holding it for a period of time, and then cooling it using water or oil results in a uniform martensitic structure, enhancing its hardness and strength while maintaining high toughness. Quenched and tempered 42CrMo has high tensile and yield strengths, making it suitable for manufacturing parts that require high strength and fatigue resistance.

Quenching and Tempering: Heating 42CrMo to 860-880°C, holding it for a period of time, and then rapidly cooling it (usually using water) followed by tempering at a temperature below the critical point results in a fine martensitic structure, increasing its hardness and toughness. Quenched and tempered 42CrMo has higher hardness, improved wear and impact resistance, making it suitable for manufacturing parts that require high wear and impact resistance.

After heat treatment, the hardness of 42CrMo typically ranges between 260-300HB. Depending on the specific heat treatment process and shape of the workpiece, the hardness range may vary. Quenched and tempered 42CrMo has lower hardness but better toughness, making it suitable for manufacturing parts requiring high strength and toughness.

Applications of 42CrMo: Due to its excellent mechanical properties and heat treatment plasticity, 42CrMo is widely used in engineering machinery, automotive components, oil machinery, and aerospace. For example, when manufacturing heavy-load components such as engine crankshafts, transmission gears, and wind turbine main shafts, choosing 42CrMo ensures the strength and longevity of the components.

Examples of different heat treatment methods and corresponding hardness values for 42CrMo:

  • Annealing: Heating at 760±10°C, furnace cooling to 400°C, air cooling; hardness: HB 220-230.
  • Normalizing: Heating at 860±10°C, air cooling after furnace exit; hardness: HB 250-300.
  • Quenching and Tempering: Heating at 840±10°C, quenching in water or oil (depending on part complexity), tempering at 680-700°C; hardness: HB < 217.
  • Quenching and Tempering: Heating at 840±10°C, quenching in oil, tempering at 470°C; hardness: HRC 41-45.
  • Quenching and Tempering: Heating at 840±10°C, quenching in oil, tempering at 480°C; hardness: HRC 35-45.
  • Quenching and Tempering: Heating at 850°C, quenching in oil, tempering at 510°C; hardness: HRC 38-42.
  • Quenching and Tempering: Heating at 850°C, quenching in oil, tempering at 500°C; hardness: HRC 40-43.
  • Quenching and Tempering: Heating at 850°C, quenching in oil, tempering at 510°C; hardness: HRC 36-42.
  • Quenching and Tempering: Heating at 850°C, quenching in oil, tempering at 560°C; hardness: HRC 32-36.
  • Quenching and Tempering: Heating at 860°C, quenching in oil, tempering at 390°C; hardness: HRC 48-52.

Steps in the heat treatment process for 42CrMo:

The heat treatment of 42CrMo alloy steel typically includes preheating, austenitization, cooling, and tempering.

  1. Preheating: Preheating is an important step in the heat treatment process, primarily aimed at achieving a uniform temperature in the workpiece to avoid thermal stresses during austenitization. Typically controlled between 700°C to 800°C, the duration depends on the size of the workpiece and the furnace load. Slow heating is required to prevent cracking or deformation.
  2. Austenitization: Austenitization is a critical step aimed at dissolving all or part of the ferrite in the steel to obtain a good martensitic structure upon cooling. Typically controlled between 900°C to 950°C, the holding time depends on the size of the workpiece and the furnace load. Uniform temperature must be maintained to prevent thermal stresses or deformation.
  3. Cooling: Cooling is a crucial step aimed at achieving the desired mechanical properties. Typically done using oil or water cooling, the cooling speed should be controlled appropriately to prevent cracking or deformation and to achieve different mechanical properties.

  4. Tempering: Tempering is the final step in the heat treatment process, aimed at eliminating residual stresses, improving toughness, and stability. Typically controlled between 500°C to 650°C, the holding time depends on the size of the workpiece and the furnace load. Slow cooling is required to prevent cracking or deformation. Air cooling or furnace cooling is performed after tempering.