High Carbon Spring Quenched and Tempered Steel Strip
High carbon spring quenched and tempered steel strip is used in a variety of engineering applications including Automobile Clutches, Clock Springs, Doctor Blades, etc. The steel is heat treated on continuous lines to develop the required hardness, toughness and tensile strength.
The product is normally delivered with sheared edges and a slightly oxidized blue black (also known as blue-grey) finish, which is fully acceptable for most engineering component manufacture. This product can also be edge-dressed prior to hardening to provide a round profile which confers engineering benefits in terms of improved fatigue resistance.
Hardening
The main characteristic of carbon steels is that they can be hardened, meaning they can be High carbon spring steel coil reshaped into new shapes without being permanently deformed. The process of heat treatment, which involves heating the strip to high temperatures and then cooling it quickly, makes this possible. However, it also means that the strip is vulnerable to damage from oxidation or if it is exposed to extreme temperatures for prolonged periods. This is why it is important to take steps to protect the steel from damage, such as hardening.
There are a number of different processes that can be used to harden steel, with the choice of process usually dependent on the steel composition and geometry of the component. Some of the most common include oil quenching and water quenching. The selection of the quenching medium is also influenced by the temperature changes that occur during the process. The choice of medium can also affect the final mechanical properties of the component by influencing both the elongation at fracture and the area reduction at fracture, as well as the tempering characteristics.
Our hardened and tempered spring strip is available in a range of thicknesses and widths, with the sheared edge condition removed by a highly effective in-line machining process prior to the tempering stage. This produces strip with a polished surface that is free from shear cracks and a blue-grey colour, as well as a very low level of micro-cracks. This improves handling safety and rationalizes further processing by eliminating the need for post-heat treatment to remove these surface defects.
Quenching
To impart the desired strength and hardness to High carbon spring quenched and tempered steel strip, it is heated to a very hot temperature called “quenching.” Quenching is a chemical reaction at a molecular level that causes many metals, including iron and steel alloys, to become much harder. It does this by increasing the density of defects in the crystal lattice of the metal. These defects prevent dislocations, which are the mechanism through which metals deform elastically, from easily moving through the lattice.
The quenching process can be accomplished in a heat treat oven or at the forge. The material is heated to the point that it becomes non-magnetic and then poured into a quenching liquid such as water, brine or 50/50 antifreeze. The quenching container should be fireproof and should have an airtight lid to smother any flames.
Once the metal is quenched it becomes very hard and brittle. Tempering is then used to precisely balance a combination of properties such as shear strength, yield strength, hardness and ductility to create the required material for a particular application. For example, tools require good abrasion and impact resistance, while springs must deform elastically before breaking. Tempering allows this to be achieved by heating the steel above its critical temperature for a recommended period of time. The steel is then cooled quickly, again in a suitable quenching medium such as water, oil or brine.
Tempering
Hardened and tempered steel strip is a versatile material that can be used in a variety of applications. This type of metal is typically used in automobile clutches, clock springs, and hand tools. It is often characterized by its ability to withstand high levels of stress. This is accomplished by a process known as tempering, which involves reheating the metal and cooling it at a slower rate than quenching. This allows the steel to retain its ductility while also becoming more resilient.
The tempering process is achieved by reheating the metal to a specified temperature for a specific period of time. This reduces the brittleness of the martensite, allowing the metal to bend elastically or plastically before it fractures. This is important because it allows the steel to withstand a wide range of mechanical loads.
Tempering can be used to precisely balance the mechanical properties of the steel, including shear strength (resistance to transverse or cutting forces), yield strength (strength at which deformation becomes permanent), tensile strength, and toughness. These properties can be varied by varying the temperature, duration of tempering, and the cooling rates used.
Aside from enhancing the toughness of the metal, tempering also relieves internal stresses in the material. This makes it easier to cut and machine the metal. It also improves the ability of the steel to withstand fatigue and corrosion.
Testing
After being hardened, the steel must be tempered to reduce Hardened & Tempered Steel Strip Supplier its brittleness. This is done by heating the hardened metal (usually a round bar) to a temperature higher than the point where it loses its ferromagnetic properties, then quenching it quickly in liquid, such as water or oil. The tempering process can also involve deformation, such as rotary swaging.
Tempering the steel can have dramatic effects on its strength and toughness. A softer piece of steel may be more flexible, while a harder piece is more likely to break. This is why it is important to understand the metallurgical principles behind heat treatment, and not just rely on guesswork or trial and error.
A spring steel shim is a thin strip of metal used to fill small gaps and spaces between parts. It is sometimes made of carbon spring steel and can be a useful component in automotive clutch plates, washers, and other mechanical applications.
A shim can be made from high-carbon spring steel or a variety of other alloy types, including low-alloy grades like 1075. High-carbon spring steel shims are typically made from either 1075 or 1095. They can be used in a wide range of applications, from traditional clock springs to modern reinforcing bars. They can also be used as support rods or spacers for parts with a wide range of sizes and shapes.
