An investigation into the applicability of Barkhausen noise technique in evaluation of machining properties of high carbon steel parts with different degrees of spheroidization

Capability of Barkhausen noise (BN) technique in evaluation of spheroidizing process and determination of the consequent machining properties were investigated. Samples with different degrees of spheroidization were produced from AISI 1060 steel. The microstructure was characterized using SEM metallographic image analysis. Machining properties were evaluated in terms of machining force and surface roughness. The machining properties showed a decrease followed by an increase with increasing spheroidization degree. BN parameters of RMS and peak height values exhibited an increase followed by a decline with increasing spheroidization. Good resolution of peak height parameter in determination of spheroidizing degree provided to define a controlling range (peak height values bigger than 3800 mV) in which the optimum machining properties are achieved.