The effect of single and double quenching and tempering heat treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of AISI 4140 steel

This investigation is concerned to evaluate the effect of double quenching and tempering (DQT) with conventional quenching and tempering (CQT) heat treatment processes on microstructure and mechanical behavior of a commercially developed hot rolled AISI 4140 type steel. Comparison of microstructure and mechanical properties of DQT and CQT heat treated specimens have been established in details. Optical and scanning electron microscopies have been used to follow impurity concentration and microstructural changes, and their relation to the associated mechanical properties. The results indicate that the improvement of mechanical properties particularly impact toughness of DQT heat treated specimens is much higher than that of the CQT condition, and this observation is rationalized in terms of finer austenite grain size developed in the DQT condition providing much finer martensitic packets within the grains and a lower level of impurity concentration of sulfur (S) and phosphorus (P) near the prior austenite grain boundaries as well.

► DQT heat treatment consists of two stages of quenching and tempering. ► The DQT considerably improves ductility and toughness of AISI 4140 steel. ► The improvement of toughness in the DQT is due to finer austenite grains. ► The DQT decreases impurities concentration at the prior austenite grain boundaries. ► The increase of toughness is also associated with uniform distribution of impurity.