ANALYSING THE EFFECT OF THERMAL TREATMENT WITH THE AID OF BRINE QUENCHING ON MICROSTRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF AISI-304 PLATES

In this work, the effects of brine quenching on the mechanical properties and microstructural attributes of AISI 304 steel have been analyzed. For reference purposes, one sample was kept in an 'as-received' condition. Three steel plates were treated at 800oC for holding periods of 1 hour, 1.5 hours, and 2 hours respectively. The heated samples were cooled inside the brine solution up to room temperature. For mechanical property analysis, all four plates were cut into standard-sized specimens for the tensile test, hardness test, and toughness test. The microstructural analysis reveals that pitting corrosion has affected the gamma-grains as well as delta-boundaries. The 'as-received' sample has shown the highest value of ultimate tensile strength (UTS) i.e., 940 MPa with 59.5% of elongation whereas the third heat-treated sample, which was heated for 2 hours, has shown a decrement of 13% and 55% in UTS and elongation respectively as compared to these of 'as received' sample. As a result of Cr-deterioration and carbide dissolution at grain boundaries, an increase in hardness was recorded in the heat-treated samples. Also, the lowest toughness, 35% lower than the as-received sample, was recorded in the third sample which are heated for a long period.

Automated summary

This study analyzed the effects of brine quenching on AISI 304 steel, and found that prolonged heating resulted in decreased ultimate tensile strength and elongation, increased hardness, and decreased toughness.