Effect of valence electron structure on temper process and hardness of the supersaturated carburized layer

Abstract

By measuring the hardness of carburized layer of a new type supersaturated carburizing steel (35Cr3SiMnMoV) at different temper temperature for 2 h, the relationship curve between the carburized layer hardness and the temper temperature is established. The result indicates that the hardness goes down firstly, then up and down, just like a wave consistent with the temperature increase. A secondary hardening peak appears at 570 °C or so. Based on Empirical Election Theory (EET) of Solids and Molecules, the valence electron structures (VESs) containing α-Fe-C, α-Fe-C-Me segregation structure units and carbide are calculated. The laws of temper process and hardness change with the temper temperature are explained, and the fact that reconstruction of θ-Fe₃C is prior to that of special carbide at high tempering is analyzed with the phase structure formation factor, S, being taken into consideration. Therefore, the laws of temper process and hardness change of supersaturated carburized layer at different temper temperature can be traced back to valence electron structure (VES) level of alloy phase.

Keywords

supersaturated carburizing steel / temper process / valence electron structure / hardness

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