Author(s)

S. Aribo, K.K. Alaneme, D.O. Folorunso, F.O. Aramide

Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Federal University of Technology.PMB, 704, Akure, Nigeria.

The effect of precipitation hardening on microstructure and hardness of Austenitic Manganese Steel has been studied. Samples of the steel were machined, autenitized at 1000℃ and held for one hour, water quenched and then aged at different temperatures and holding times. The samples were artificially aged at 600℃ and 700℃ and were held for one, two and three hours. Microstructures and hardness values of the samples were taken. It was found out that sample aged at 700℃ for 2 hours has its carbide particles finely dispersed on the austenite matrix. This led to an increase in the hardness.

precipitation, hardening, ageing, hardness, microstructure, carbide, austenitized, austenitic manganese steel.

S. Aribo, K. Alaneme, D. Folorunso and F. Aramide, "Effect of Precipitation Hardening on Hardness and Microstructure of Austenitic Manganese Steel," Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering, Vol. 9 No. 2, 2010, pp. 157-164. doi: 10.4236/jmmce.2010.92014.