Heat Treatment of Metals ›› 2024, Vol. 49 ›› Issue (1): 202-205.DOI: 10.13251/j.issn.0254-6051.2024.01.032

• PROCESS RESEARCH • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Effect of tempering process on microstructure and mechanical properties of A3 axle steel for railway

Zhao Zhigang, Chen Jianli, Zhang Jinwen, Wang Songwei, Wang Yutian   

  1. Technology Center, Shanxi Taigang Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., Taiyuan Shanxi 030003, China
  • Received:2023-08-08 Revised:2023-11-20 Published:2024-02-29

Abstract: Effects of different tempering processes on microstructure and mechanical properties of A3 axle steel for railway vehicles were investigated through experiments. The results show that microstructure of the A3 axle steel is tempered sorbite when quenched at 860 ℃ and tempered at 640-740 ℃, and the room temperature tensile strength and yield strength show a decreasing trend with the gradual increase of the tempering temperature, while the impact absorbed energy, elongation and percentage reduction of area show an increasing trend. When the tempering temperature is gradually increased in the range of 640-680 ℃, there is a significant increase in the impact absorbed energy. However, when the tempering temperature is gradually increased in the range of 680-740 ℃, the impact absorbed energy gradually increases but the increase extent is small. Under the process condition of quenching at 860 ℃, in order to meet the various properties of the A3 axle steel, its tempering temperature should be controlled at 680-720 ℃.

Key words: A3 axle steel, tempering temperature, microstructure, mechanical properties

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