Yes, quenching is performed before tempering in the heat treatment process of steels.
Explanation:
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Quenching Process: Quenching is the first step in the heat treatment process of steels. It involves heating the steel to a high temperature (typically between 900 °C to 1000 °C) to convert its structure entirely into austenite. After maintaining this temperature for a sufficient time, the steel is rapidly cooled, usually by blowing cooled process gas like nitrogen or argon directly into the furnace. This rapid cooling is crucial as it transforms the austenite into martensite, a hard and brittle form of steel. The cooling rate achieved during quenching is critical for obtaining the desired martensitic structure, especially in air-hardening steels.
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Martensite Formation and Its Limitations: The formation of martensite during quenching is essential for achieving high hardness in the steel. In martensite, the carbon is forcibly dissolved, causing significant lattice strain and high material hardness. However, this state of steel is extremely brittle and unsuitable for most technical applications due to its lack of toughness.
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Tempering Process: To address the brittleness and improve the toughness of the steel, tempering is performed as the second stage in the process. After the steel has been quenched and has reached room temperature, it is reheated to a lower temperature (typically below 723 °C) for a specific duration. This process helps to reduce the brittleness and internal stresses caused by quenching, thereby enhancing the toughness of the steel. The tempering temperature and duration are carefully controlled to achieve the desired balance of strength, hardness, and toughness in the steel.
In summary, quenching is a necessary precursor to tempering in the heat treatment of steels. Quenching transforms the steel into a hard but brittle state, and tempering is then used to refine these properties, making the steel more suitable for practical applications.
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