SEDL / STP / STP407-EB / STP46474S

Stress-Relief Embrittlement of High-Strength Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steels

Rosenstein, A. H.
Senior project engineerPersonal member ASTM, Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Annapolis, Md.

Asche, W. H.
MetallurgistPersonal member ASTM, Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Annapolis, Md.

Pages: 13    Published: Jan 1968

Download this paper for $25 PDF (284K)          View License Agreement
Abstract

An investigation was undertaken of the time-temperature-embrittlement relationships of two high-strength quenched and tempered steels. Optimum stress-relief treatments were developed which incorporate the maximum reduction in residual stress accompanied by the minimum increase in transition temperature. It was determined that stress-relief embrittlement in Steel A (5Ni-Cr-Mo-V, 140 ksi yield strength) is most severe in the 900 to 1000 F temperature range, and that Steel B (3Ni-Cr-Mo, 100 ksi yield strength) is not significantly embrittled by stress relief. The optimum stress-relief treatments for Steels A and B are obtained by heat treatment at as high a stressrelieving temperature as possible. The maximum stress-relieving temperature is limited to that which will not result in loss of yield strength.