ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 30 October 2008
Page Count: 10

A Feasibility Study of the Use of Bismuth Bath to Replace Lead Bath as the Quenching Media for Steel Heat-Treating

Ru, Jilai
China Academy of Railway Science, Beijing

Wang, Zhirui
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Toronto,

(Received 6 May 2008; accepted 21 August 2008)

Abstract

The metallurgical feasibility of replacing lead (Pb) bath with bismuth (Bi) bath as quenching media for steel has been investigated. It is found that there is a good consistency in microstructures and hardness, i.e., mechanical properties for specimens quenched in Bi and Pb bath. On the possible side effect of Bi molten on the quality of steels, both the theoretical and experimental results indicate that there is no apparent corrosion or reaction between Bi and steel during quenching operation in Bi bath. Therefore, it can be firmly concluded that replacing Pb bath with Bi bath as quenching media for steel is proven to be practicable.

Keywords:
bismuth, quenching media, heat treatment

Paper ID: JAI101871
DOI: 10.1520/JAI101871
ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.