Nanoindentation-Based Micro-Mechanical and Electrochemical Properties of Quench-Hardened, Tempered Low-Carbon Steel

摘要: The nanoindentation technique is widely used to measure the micro-scale mechanical properties of various materials. Herein, nanoindentation-based micro-mechanical and electrochemical low-carbon steel were investigated after quench hardening tempering processes. was produced on a laboratory scale subjected separately in two different media-water brine (10 wt% NaCl)-and subsequent moderate temperature tempering. Microstructure analysis revealed that lath martensite phase formed all heat treatments, having carbon percentages ranging from 0.26% 0.58%. A ferrite also observed microstructure three morphologies, i.e., allotriomorphic ferrite, idiomorphic Widmanstatten ferrite. Nanoindentation showed process provided maximum twofold improvement indentation hardness 51% stiffness with 30% reduction reduced elastic modulus compared as-received steel. Electrochemical performance evaluated 1% HNO3 solution. water quench-hardened tempered sample exhibited highest corrosion resistance, whereas lowest resistance among heat-treated samples.