TITLE:
Tempering Heat Treatment Effects on Steel Welds
AUTHORS:
A.V. Adedayo, S.A. Ibitoye, O.O. Oluwole
KEYWORDS:
Welding, Tempering, Heat treatment, Hardness, Toughness, Microstructure
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.10 No.8,
June
27,
2011
ABSTRACT: This paper reports investigations made on the tempering heat treatment effects on steel welds.
The properties of the weld investigated were hardness value and toughness. Micro examination
of the samples was also done with optical microscopy. Four (4) different grades of steel rods in
10mm diameter were obtained. The range of the carbon contents of the steel rods was from 0.16
wt% C to 0.33 wt % C. From each grade of the steel materials, grooved specimen of about 150
mm were prepared. The grooves were then filled to create welds using arc welding. A set of the
resulting welds were then subjected to tempering heat treatment. The hardness values and
toughness of the welds were determined. The microstructural analyses of the welds were carried
out as well. The results show that hardness and toughness were dependent on the carbon
content. There was also significant microstructural modification due to heat treatment.