f
DESCRIPTION !•
STEEL FOR CARBURIZING, CARBURIZED STEEL COMPONENT, AND METHOD
OF PRODUCING THE SAME
5
Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a steel for carburizing, a carburized steel
10 component, and a method of producing the same, which have small deformation
resistance and large critical working ratio at a cold forging, and which have, after a
carburizing heat treatment, a hardened layer and hardness of steel portion which are
equivalent to a conventional steel.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-027279, filed
15 February 10, 2011, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Background Art
[0002]
In general, Mn, Cr, Mo, Ni, and the like are added in combination to a steel used
20 for mechanical and structural components. A steel for carburizing which has the
chemical composition and is produced by casting, forging, rolling, and the like is
subjected to shaping such as forging and machining which is cutting and the like and
' subjected to heat treatments such as carburizing and the like, and then the steel for
carburizing becomes a carburized steel component with a carburized layer which is a
25 hardened layer in a surface layer and a steel portion which is a base metal that is not
•
. * 2 . .
influenced by the carburizing treatment.
[0003]
In producing cost of the carburized steel component, cost for the cutting is
particularly high. The cutting is disadvantageous to a yield, because tools for the
5 cutting are not only expensive, but also the cutting forms a large amount of chips. Thus,
replacing the cutting with the forging is attempted. The forging method is divided
roughly into a hot forging, a warm forging, and a cold forging. The warm forging has a
feature in which scale formation is not much and dimensional accuracy is improved as
compared with the hot forging. The cold forging has a feature in which the scale
10 formation is little and the dimensional accuracy is close to the cutting. Thus, it is tried
that the cold forging is performed as a finishing after the hot forging is performed as a
rough shaping, that the cutting is slightly performed as the finishing after the warm
forging is performed, or that the cold forging is only performed for the shaping.
However, since mold life decreases with increase in contact pressure to the mold in a
15 case that deformation resistance of the steel for carburizing is large when replacing the
cutting with the warm forging or the cold forging, advantage of the cost against the
cutting becomes small. Or problems such that cracks are initiated and propagated at an
area where large deformation is applied and the like occur when forming into complex
shape. For the reason, various techniques have been investigated in order to soften the
20 steel for carburizing and to improve critical working ratio.
[0004]
For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 suggest the steel for carburizing which
is softened by decreasing Si and Mn content in order to improve cold forgeability. The
steels for carburizing have sufficient hardness of steel portion and effective case depth
25 (depth where Vickers hardness is HV550 or more) after the carburizing and have
properties satisfied as the carburized steel component. However, it is insufficient to
decrease drastically the deformation resistance at the forging. In contrast, Patent
Document 3 suggests the steel for carburizing in which the deformation resistance at the
hot forging, the warm forging, and the cold forging is drastically decreased by decreasing
5 considerably C content to 0.001% to 0.07% or less as compared with the conventional
steel for carburizing and in which effective hardened layer after the carburizing that is
reduced due to the decrease in C content is improved by controlling the amount of
additive elements except C. However, the hardness of the steel for carburizing
decreases by excessively low C content as the steel, and the hardness of steel portion of
10 the carburized steel component which is not influenced by the carburizing is insufficient.
Therefore, a problem such that versatility has restriction occurs. Patent Document 4
suggests the steel for carburizing which is excellent in ductility and is able to be utilized
for the cold forging with large working ratio by improving metallographic structure of
the surface layer of the steel for carburizing whose shape is a bar and wire rod by
15 spheroidizing annealing. The critical working ratio of the steel for carburizing is
improved, and the cracks which are initiated and propagated at the cold forging can be
prevented. Moreover, the steel for carburizing has satisfiable properties as the
carburized steel component in regard to the hardness of steel portion and the effective
case depth after the carburizing. However, the steel for carburizing is ineffective in
20 decreasing in the deformation resistance at the forging, and an improvement such as a
decrease in forging load, a prolongation of the mold life, and the like should be
performed.
[0005]
As mentioned above, it is fact that the technique satisfying all properties such as
25 the drastic decrease in the deformation resistance at the forging, the improvement of the
t
critical working ratio, the securement of the properties as the carburized steel component,
and especially the securement of the effective case depth and the hardness of steel
portion is not found.
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5 Related Art Document
Patent Documents
[0006]
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. Hll-335777
10 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. 2001-303172
[Patent Document 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
Publication No. 2009-108398
[Patent Document 4] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First
15 Publication No. 2001-240941
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0007]
20 In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of an aspect of the
invention is to provide a steel for carburizing, a carburized steel component, and a
method of producing the same, which have, in the state of the steel for carburizing, small
deformation resistance and large critical working ratio at a cold forging as compared with
the conventional steel for carburizing, and which have, after a carburizing heat treatment,
25 a hardened layer and hardness of steel portion which are equivalent to a conventional
steel.
[0008]
Hereafter, "forging" only indicates "cold forging." unless otherwise mentioned.
Solution to Problem
5 [0009]
In order to solve the problems, the inventor has investigated and then found the
following results. In order to decrease the hardness of the steel for carburizing and to
improve the critical working ratio, C content needs to be decreased as much as possible.
On the other hand, in order to obtain the hardness of steel portion required at least as the
10 carburized steel component, C content has a lower limit and needs to be controlled in the
target range. In order to satisfy both securing hardenability to obtain the hardness of
steel portion required as the carburized steel component and aiming at the decrease in the
hardness as the steel for carburizing on condition that C content in chemical composition
is less than that of the conventional steel, it is necessary to utilize an improvement effect
15 of the hardenability obtained by B addition and to be the chemical composition in which
a hardenability parameter and a hardness parameter which are derived by the inventor are
simultaneously satisfied. In addition, in order to stably obtain the improvement effect
of the hardenability by B addition, and further in order to prevent the grain coarsening at
the carburizing, an A1N precipitation parameter which is derived by the inventor needs to
20 be satisfied.
[0010]
An aspect of the present invention employs the following.
[0011]
(1) A steel for a carburizing according to an aspect of the invention includes as
25 a chemical composition, by mass %,
• 6 .
C: 0.07% to 0.13%,
Si: 0.0001% to 0.50%,
Mn: 0.0001% to 0.80%,
S: 0.0001% to 0.100%,
5 Cr: more than 1.30% to 5.00%,
B: 0.0005% to 0.0100%,
Al: 0.070% to 0.200%,
N: 0.0030% to 0.0100%,
Ti: limited to 0.020% or less,
10 P: limited to 0.050% or less,
O: limited to 0-0030% or less, and
a balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities,
wherein amounts expressed in mass% of each element in the chemical
composition satisfy simultaneously a following Equation 1 as a hardness parameter, a
15 following Equation 2 as a hardenability parameter, and a following Equation 3 as an A1N
precipitation parameter.
0.10 < C + 0.194 x Si + 0.065 x Mn + 0.012 x & + 0.078 x Al<
0.235 ...(Equation 1)
7.5 < (0.7 x Si + 1) x (5.1 x Mn + 1) x (2.16 x Cr + 1) < 44 ...(Equation 2)
20 0.0003
, the effect is not obtained. When Nb content is more than 0. 100%, the effect is
saturated. Therefore, it is preferable that Nb content is 0.002% to 0.100%. More
25 preferably, it is 0.010% to 0.050%.
-
9 20
[0038]
V: 0.002% to 0.20%
V (Vanadium) is an element which forms V(C,N) by bonding to N and C in the
steel. V(C,N) suppresses the grain growth by pinning the austenite grain boundary, and
5 thereby prevents the microstructure from coarsening. When V content is less than
0.002%, the effect is not obtained. When V content is more than 0. 20%, the effect is
saturated. Therefore, it is preferable that V content is 0.002% to 0.20%. More
preferably, it is 0.05% to 0.10%.
[0039]
10 In the selective elements, Mo, Ni, and Cu are effective in increasing the fraction
of the martensite at the carburizing heat treatment.
[0040]
Mo: 0.005% to 0.50%
Mo (Molybdenum) is an element which enhances the hardenability of the steel.
15 In order to increase the fraction of the martensite after the carburizing heat treatment by
the effect, it is preferable that Mo content is more than 0.005%. Moreover, Mo is the
element which does not form oxides and hardly forms nitrides under gas atmosphere of
the gas carburizing. By Mo addition, an oxide layer, a nitride layer, or an abnormal
carburized layer due to the oxide layer or the nitride layer are hardly formed on the
20 surface of the carburized layer. However, addition cost of Mo is expensive. In
addition, when Mo content is more than 0. 50%, the hardness of the steel for carburizing
before the forging increases, the deformation resistance increases, and the critical
working ratio decreases. Therefore, it is preferable that Mo content is 0.005% to 0.50%.
More preferably, it is 0.05% to 0.20%.
25 [0041]
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9 21
Ni: 0.005% to 1.00%
Ni (Nickel) is an element which enhances the hardenability of the steel. In
order to increase the fraction of the martensite after the carburizing heat treatment by the
effect, it is preferable that Ni content is more than 0.005%. Moreover, Ni is the element
5 which does not form oxides and nitrides under the gas atmosphere of the gas carburizing.
By Ni addition, the oxide layer, the nitride layer, or the abnormal carburized layer due to
the oxide layer or the nitride layer are hardly formed on the surface of the carburized
layer. However, addition cost of Ni is expensive. In addition, when Ni content is more j
than 1.00%), the hardness of the steel for carburizing before the forging increases, the j
I
10 deformation resistance increases, and the critical working ratio decreases. Therefore, it
is preferable that Ni content is 0.005% to 1.00%. More preferably, it is 0.05% to 0.50%. j
[0042]
Cu: 0.005% to 0.50%
Cu (Copper) is an element which enhances the hardenability of the steel. In
15 order to increase the fraction of the martensite after the carburizing heat treatment by the
effect, it is preferable that Cu content is more than 0.005%. Moreover, Cu is the
element which does not form oxides and nitrides under the gas atmosphere of the gas j
carburizing. By Cu addition, the oxide layer, the nitride layer, or the abnormal
carburized layer due to the oxide layer or the nitride layer are hardly formed on the
20 surface of the carburized layer. However, when Cu content is more than 0.50%, the
ductility in a high temperature region of 1000°C or higher decreases, which causes a
decrease in yield of continuous casting and rolling. In addition, when Cu content is
more .than 0. 50%, the hardness of the steel for carburizing before the forging increases,
the deformation resistance increases, and the critical working ratio decreases. Therefore,
25 it is preferable that Cu content is 0.005% to 0.50%. More preferably, it is 0.05% to
•
V 22
0.30%. In addition, in case of adding Cu, it is preferable that Ni content is more than
half of Cu content by mass% in order to improve the ductility in the high temperature
region.
[0043]
5 In the selective elements, Ca, Mg, Te, Zr, REM, and Sb are effective in
improving the machinability.
[0044]
Ca: 0.0002% to 0.0030%
Ca (Calcium) is an element which has an effect of morphology control such that
10 the shape of MnS which is formed by S added for the machinability improvement is
controlled to be spheroidal without extending. By Ca addition, anisotropy of the shape
of MnS is improved, and mechanical properties are not impaired. Moreover, Ca is
element which improves the machinability by forming a protective film for a surface of a
cutting tool during the cutting. To obtain the effects, it is preferable that Ca content is
15 more than 0.0002%. When Ca content is more than 0.0030%), coarse oxides and
sulfides may be formed, and the fatigue strength of the carburized steel component may
be negatively influenced. Therefore, it is preferable that Ca content is 0.0002% to
0.0030%. More preferably, it is 0.0008% to 0.0020%.
[0045]
20 Mg: 0.0002% to 0.0030%
Mg (Magnesium) is an element which controls the morphology of MnS and
improves the machinability by forming the protective film for the surface of the cutting
tool during the cutting. To obtain the effects, it is preferable that Mg content is more
than 0.0002%. When Mg content is more than 0.0030%, coarse oxides may be formed,
25 and the fatigue strength of the carburized steel component may be negatively influenced.
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Therefore, it is preferable that Mg content is 0.0002% to 0.0030%. More preferably, it
is 0.0008% to 0.0020%.
[0046]
Te: 0.0002% to 0.0030% 5 Te (tellurium) is an element which controls the morphology of MnS. To obtain
the effect, it is preferable that Te content is more than 0.0002%. When Te content is
more than 0.0030%, the steel excessively embrittles at high temperature. Therefore, it
is preferable that Te content is 0.0002% to 0.0030%. More preferably, it is 0.0008% to
, 0.0020%.
10 [0047] '
Zr: 0.0002% to 0.0050%
Zr (Zirconium) is an element which controls the morphology of MnS. To
obtain the effectvit is preferable that Zr content is more than 0.0002%. When Zr •
content is more than 0.0050%, coarse oxides may be formed, and the fatigue strength of
15 the carburized steel component may be negatively influenced. Therefore, it is
preferable that Zr content is 0.0002% to 0.0050%. More preferably, it is 0.0008% to
0.0030%.
[0048]
Rare Earth Metal: 0.0002% to 0.0050%
20 REM (Rare Earth Metal) are elements which controls the morphology of MnS.
To obtain the effect, it is preferable that REM content is more than 0.0002%. When
REM content is more than 0.0050%, coarse oxides may be formed, and the fatigue
strength of the carburized steel component may be negatively influenced. Therefore, it
is preferable that REM content is 0.0002% to 0.0050%. More preferably, it is 0,0008%
25 to 0.0030%. . ... •
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Herein, REM indicate a generic name of a total of 17 elements in which
scandium of the atomic number 21 and yttrium of the atomic number 39 are added to 15
elements from lanthanum of the atomic number 57 to lutetium of the atomic number 71.
In general, misch metal which is a mixture of the elements is supplied and added to the
5 steel.
[0049]
Sb: 0.002% to 0.050%
Sb (antimony) is an element which prevents decarburization and carburization
during the producing processes (the hot rolling, the hot forging, the annealing, and the
10 ike) of the steel for carburizing. To obtain the effect, it is preferable that Sb content is
more than 0.002%. When Sb content is more than 0.050%, carburizing during the
carburizing treatment may deteriorate. Therefore, it is preferable that Sb content is
0.002% to 0.050%. More preferably, it is 0.005% to 0.030%.
[0050]
15 Next, the hardness parameter, the hardenability parameter, and the A1N
j precipitation parameter which needs to be satisfied simultaneously as the steel, for
j
| carburizing and the steel portion of the carburized steel component according to the
i embodiment will be described.
I
[0051]
20 Hardness parameter
The amounts expressed in mass% of each element in the chemical composition
needs to satisfy a following Equation A as the hardness parameter. Moreover, when Mo,
Ni, and Cu which are selective elements are contained, the hardness parameter is
redefined as a following Equation B on behalf of the Equation A.
25 0.10 < C + 0.194 x;si + 0.065 x Mn + 0.012 x Cr + 0.078 x Al <
! • ' !:
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TI . 25
0.235 ...(Equation A) |
0.10 < C + 0.194 x Si + 0.065 x Mn + 0.012 x & + 0.033 xMo + 0.067 x Ni + !
I
0.097 x Cu + 0.078 x Al< 0.235 ...(Equation B) I
[0052]
5 When C content is low, in the microstructure of the steel for carburizing before
the forging, a ferrite fraction increases considerably as compared with the
above-mentioned conventional steel for carburizing (C content is approximately 0.2%).
In the case, the hardness of the steel for carburizing is greatly affected not only to C
content (a pearlite fraction) but also to the hardness of the ferrite. Thus, the inventor
10 estimated the contribution of each alloying element to the effect of the solute
strengthening of the ferrite on the basis of data which are disclosed in General literatures
(for example, F.B.Pickering: "Physical metallurgy and the design of steels" published by
Maruzen in 1981, William C.Leslie: "The Physical Metallurgy of Steels" published by
Maruzen in 1985, and the like). As a result, the inventor derived the original equations
15 of the parameter as shown in the Equation A and the Equation B in consideration also of
the influence of C content. Based on the equations of the hardness parameter of the
steel for carburizing, the hardness of the steel for carburizing which had various chemical
compositions was evaluated, and threshold value which could achieve the softening of
the steel for carburizing certainly as compared with the conventional techniques was
20 obtained. In other words, when the hardness parameter is 0.235 or more, the hardness
of the steel for carburizing before the forging increases, the deformation resistance
increases, and the critical working ratio decreases. As a result, predominance over the
;
conventional materials becomes small. On the other hand, when the hardness parameter
is 0.10 or less, the hardness as the carburized steel component is insufficient. Therefore, •
25 the hardness parameter needs to be more than 0.10 to less than 0.235. It is preferable
I
•W 26
that the hardness parameter is as low as possible within a range where the hardenability
parameter as described below is satisfied. It is preferable to be more than 0.10 to less s
than 0.230. It is more preferable to be more than 0.10 to 0.220 or less. It is most
preferable to be more than 0.10 to 0.210 or less.
I
5 [0053]
Hardenability parameter
The amounts expressed in mass% of each element in the chemical composition
needs to satisfy a: following Equation C as the hardenability parameter. Moreover, when
Mo and Ni which are selective elements are contained, the hardenability parameter is
10 redefined as a following Equation D on behalf of the Equation C.
7.5 < (0.7 x Si + 1) x (5.1 x Mn + 1) x (2.16 x Cr + 1) < 44 ...(Equation C)
7.5<(0.7xSi + l)x(5.1 xMn+l)x(2.16xCr+l)x(3 x Mo + 1) x (0.3633
x Ni + 1) < 44 ...(Equation D)
[0054]
15 As described above, B addition is very effective in improving the hardenability
of the steel portion of the carburized steel component. However, when gas carburizing
is conducted by converted gas method, it is not expected to obtain the improvement
effect of the hardenability by B addition in a carburized layer which is a surface layer of
the carburized steel component. The reasons are that N penetrates from atmosphere into
20 the fcurface layer of the carburized steel component during the carburizing treatment, the
solid soluted B precipitates as BN, and the amount of the solid soluted B which
contributes to the improvement of the hardenability becomes insufficient. Thus, in
order to secure the hardenability in the carburized layer which is the surface" layer of the
carburized steel component, it is necessary to utilize the elements which enhance the
25 hardenability of the steel except B. In regard to relationship between the hardenability
:
F
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and the alloying elements, various parameters are proposed. In an aspect of the present
invention, the equations of the parameter which are described in the Patent Document 3
are employed. The reasons are that the steel which is described in the Patent Document
3 is the steel for carburizing even if C content is different, and the feature in which C
5 content is low as compared with general steel for carburizing is common, between the
steel for carburizing or the steel portion of the carburized steel component according to
the embodiment and the steel which is described in the Patent Document 3. Based on
the Equation C and the Equation D which were the hardenability parameter, the
carburizing and quenching was conducted by using the steel for carburizing which had
10 various chemical compositions, and threshold value which could achieve the hardness of
the carburized layer and the effective case depth (depth where Vickers hardness is
HV550 or more) that were equal to or higher than that of the above-mentioned
conventional steel for carburizing (C content is approximately 0.20%) by the same ]
carburizing heat treatment conditions was obtained. In other words, when the
15 hardenability parameter is 7.5 or less, the properties which are equal to that of the
conventional steel for carburizing (C content is approximately 0.20%) cannot be obtained.
When the hardenability parameter is 44 or more, the hardness of the steel for carburizing
before the forging increases, the deformation resistance increases, and the critical
working ratio decreases. Therefore, the hardenability parameter needs to be more than
20 7.5 to less than 44. It is preferable that the hardenability parameter is as high as
possible within a range where the hardness parameter as described above is satisfied. It
is preferable to be 12.1 or more to less than 44. It is more preferable to be 20.1 or more
to less than 44.
[0055]
25 A1N precipitation parameter
"W : 28
The amounts expressed in mass% of Al, N, and Ti needs to satisfy a following
Equation E as the A1N precipitation parameter.
0.0003 < Al x (N - Ti x (14 / 48)) < 0.0011 ...(Equation E)
N which is contained in the steel forms preferentially TiN by bonding to Ti.
5 Namely, "(N - Ti x (14 / 48))" in the Equation E indicates the state such that N in the
steel exists by the morphology except TiN and, in other words, indicates N content which
is possibly to form A1N. In the Equation E, "14" indicates the atomic weight of N, and
"48" indicates the atomic weight of Ti.
[0056]
10 When the A1N precipitation parameter is 0.0003 or less, the grain coarsening
cannot be prevented during the carburizing, because the precipitation amount of A1N is
insufficient. When the A1N precipitation parameter is 0.0011 or more, the precipitation
amount of A1N increases excessively, and plastic deformability of the steel for
carburizing and the carburized steel component deteriorates. Moreover, A1N ,
15 precipitates do not disperse finely, each size grows, and the effect to prevent the grain
coarsening is not obtained. Therefore, the A1N precipitation parameter needs to be
more than 0.0003 to less than 0.0011. It is preferable to be 0.0005 or more to less than
0.0010.
[0057]
20 By satisfying simultaneously the hardness parameter, the hardenability
parameter, and the A1N precipitation parameter as described above, it is possible to
provide the steel for carburizing and the carburized steel component, which have, in the
state of the steel for carburizing, the small deformation resistance and the large critical
working ratio at the cold forging as compared with the conventional steel for carburizing, ;
i
25 and which have;-after the carburizing heat treatment, the hardened layer and the hardness 41 29
of the steel portion which are equivalent to the conventional steel.
[0058]
Next, the metallographic structure of the steel for carburizing and the carburized
steel component according to the embodiment will be described.
5 [0059]
First, the metallographic structure of the steel for carburizing according to the
embodiment will be described.
[0060]
In the steel for carburizing which consists of the above-mentioned chemical
10 composition, it is preferable that the metallographic structure includes, by area%, the
ferrite and the pearlite of 85% to 100% in total.
[0061]
When the ferrite and the pearlite of 85% to 100% are included in total,
preferably, the hardness of the steel for carburizing decreases, the deformation resistance
15 decreases, and the critical working ratio increases. It is more preferable that the ferrite
and the pearlite are 95% to 100% in total. The balance of the ferrite and the pearlite
includes bainite, martensite, cementites, and the like which are harder phase than the
ferrite and the pearlite. To obtain the effect by the ferrite and the pearlite, it is
preferable that a fraction of the bainite, the martensite, the cementites, and the like which
20 are the balance is to be 0% to less than 15% in area%.
[0062]
In order to obtain the metallographic structure, it is preferable to conduct a slow
cooling process of slow-cooling by a cooling rate of more than 0 °C/s to 1 °C/s in a
temperature range where a surface temperature of a hot worked steel material is 800°C to
25 500°C after a hot working process in producing the steel for carburizing. The method
W 30
of producing the*same is described later in detail.
[0063] ;
Instead of the above-mentioned metallographic structure, the steel for -
carburizing which consists of the above-mentioned chemical composition may include,
5 by area%, the ferrite and spheroidal cementites of 85% to 100% in total. Herein,
cementites in which area fraction thereof is 54% or more as compared with that of a
circle whose diameter is maximum diagonal line of the cementites on an observed
section for the metallographic structure are defined as the spheroidal cementites.
[0064]
10 When the ferrite and the spheroidal cementites of 85% to 100% are included in
total, preferably, the hardness of the steel for carburizing decreases, the deformation
resistance decreases, and the critical working ratio increases. It is more preferable that
the ferrite and the spheroidal cementites are 90% to 100% in total. The balance of the
ferrite and the spheroidal cementites includes the pearlite, the martensite, the bainite,
15 tempered martensite, tempered bainite, the cementites, and the like. To obtain the effect
by the ferrite and the spheroidal cementites, it is preferable that a fraction of the pearlite,
the martensite, the bainite, the tempered martensite, the tempered bainite, the cementites,
and the like which are the balance is to be 0% to less than 15% in area%.
[0065]
20 In order to obtain the metallographic structure, it is preferable to further conduct
a spheroidizing annealing process of spheroidizing-annealing the hot-worked steel
material after the slow cooling process. The method of producing the same is described
later in detail.
[0066]
25 Instead of the above-mentioned metallographic structure, the steel for
carburizing which consists of the above-mentioned chemical composition may have a
following metallographic structure. When a shape of the steel for carburizing is a bar or
a wire rod in which a cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction is round, and
when a distance from a periphery to a center of the cross section is defined as r in unit of
5 mm, in the metallographic structure of the surface layer which is a portion from the
periphery to r x 0.01, the ferrite and the pearlite may be limited, by area%, to 10% or less
in total, and the balance may include at least one of the martensite, the bainite, the
tempered martensite, the tempered bainite, and the cementites.
[0067]
10 When the ferrite and the pearlite are limited, by area%, to 10% or less in total in
the metallographic structure of the surface layer, the cementites after the spheroidizing
annealing disperse uniformly, so that the critical working ratio at the cold forging
increases. It is more preferable that the ferrite and the pearlite in the surface layer are
5% or more in total. The balance of the ferrite and the pearlite includes the martensite,
15 the bainite, the tempered martensite, the tempered bainite, the cementites, and the like.
In addition, when depth of the surface layer which has the metallographic structure is less
than depth from the periphery to r x 0.01, depth of the surface layer where the critical
working ratio at the cold forging increases is insufficient, so that cracks are easy to be
initiated during the cold forging. Thus, it is preferable that the portion at least from the
20 periphery to r x 0.01 has the metallographic structure. It is more preferable that the
portion is from the periphery to the radius of the cross section x 0.05. It is most
preferable that the portion is from the periphery to the radius of the cross section x 0.15.
Moreover, even if the above-mentioned metallographic structure exists to the center of
the cross section, there is no bad influence.
25 [0068]
^ 32
In order to obtain the metallographic structure, it is preferable to conduct a hot
controlled rolling process of hot-rolling by controlling conditions so that a surface
temperature at an exit side of a final finish rolling becomes 700°C to 1000°C to obtain a
hot-controlled-rolled steel material, a rapid cooling process of rapid-cooling so that the
5 surface temperature of the hot-controlled-rolled steel material is more than 0°C to 500°C
after the hot controlled rolling process, and a self-reheating process of self-reheating the
hot-controlled-rolled steel material after the rapid cooling process at least one time or
more in producing the steel for carburizing. The method of producing the same is
described later in detail.
10 [0069]
Instead of the above-mentioned metallographic structure, in the cementites
included in the metallographic structure of the surface layer of the steel for carburizing
which consists of the above-mentioned chemical composition, the cementites of 90% to
100% may be cementites whose aspect ratio is 3 or less. Herein, a value which divides
15 the major axis by the minor axis is defined as the aspect ratio. Or, spheroidicity may be
within No. 2 specified in JIS G 3507-2.
[0070]
When the cementites of 90% to 100% are the cementites whose aspect ratio is 3
or less in the cementites included in the metallographic structure of the surface layer, the
20 critical working ratio at the cold forging increases further. It is more preferable that the
percentage of the cementites whose aspect ratio is 3 or less is 95% to 100%.
[0071]
In order to obtain the metallographic structure, it is preferable to further conduct
a spheroidizing annealing process of spheroidizing-annealing the hot-controlled-rolled
25 steel material after the self-reheating process. The method of producing the same is
^ 33
described later in detail.
[0072]
Next, the metallographic structure of the carburized steel component according
to the embodiment will be described.
5 [0073]
The carburized steel component according to the embodiment includes the steel
portion and the carburized layer with the effective case depth (depth where the Vickers
hardness is HV550 or more) of a thickness of more than 0.4 mm to less than 2 mm which
is formed on an outside of the steel portion. Herein, the carburized layer indicates the
10 effective case depth where the Vickers hardness is HV550 or more. It is preferable that,
in the carburized layer, the metallographic structure at a position of 50 um in depth from
the surface includes the martensite of 90% to 100% in area%, and the Vickers hardness at
the position of 50 um in depth from the surface is HV 650 to HV 1000. In addition, it is
preferable that, in the carburized layer, the metallographic structure at a position of 0.4
15 mm in depth from the surface includes the martensite of 90% t% 100% in area%, and the
Vickers hardness at the position of 0.4 mm in depth from the surface is HV 550 to HV
900.
[0074]
When the metallographic structure includes the martensite of 90% to 100%o and
20 the Vickers hardness is HV 650 to HV 1000 in the carburized layer at the position of 50
um in depth from the surface, wear resistance, surface fatigue strength, bending fatigue
strength (mainly high cycle), and torsional fatigue strength are preferably equal to or
higher than that of the above-mentioned conventional carburized steel component. It is
more preferable that the metallographic structure includes the martensite of 95% to 100%
25 and the Vickers hardness is HV 700 to HV 1000.
!.-
r
P 34
[0075]
When the metallographic structure includes the martensite of 90% to 100% and
the Vickers hardness is HV 550 to HV 900 in the carburized layer at the position of 0.4
mm in depth from the surface, the surface fatigue strength, the bending fatigue strength
5 (mainly low cycle), and the torsional fatigue strength are preferably equal to or higher
than that of the above-mentioned conventional carburized steel component. It is more
preferable that the metallographic structure includes the martensite of 92% to 100%> and
the Vickers hardness is HV 560 to HV 900.
[0076]
10 In addition, it is preferable that, in the steel portion, the Vickers hardness at a
position of 2 mm in depth from the surface is HV 250 to HV 500. Moreover, in the
steel portion, a chemical composition at the position of 2 mm in depth from the surface
needs to consist of the above-mentioned chemical composition.
[0077] ^
15 When the Vickers hardness is HV 250 to HV 500 in the steel portion at the
position of 2 mm in depth from the surface, the hardness of the steel portion is preferably
equal to or higher than that of the above-mentioned conventional carburized steel
component, even if C content is low. It is more preferable that the Vickers hardness is
HV 270 to HV 450. When the metallographic structure includes at least one of the
20 m-artensite and the bainite in the steel portion at the position of 2 mm in depth from the
surface, the above-mentioned effect is preferably obtained.
[0078]
In order to obtain the metallographic structure and the Vickers hardness of the
carburized steel component, the carburized steel component may be produced by using
25 the steel for carburizing which consists of the above-mentioned chemical composition
m 35
and by the method of producing the steel for carburizing and the carburized steel
component as described later.
[0079]
The metallographic structure can be observed by an optical microscope after
5 nital etching or picral etching is conducted. At the time, it is preferable to conduct the
picral etching for specimens after the spheroidizing annealing. The fraction of the
ferrite, the pearlite, the bainite, the martensite, the tempered martensite, the tempered
bainite, the cementites, and the like can be determined by an image analysis. Moreover,
the spheroidal cementites, the number of the cementites, and the aspect ratio can be
10 determined by the image analysis. Although the observed section is not limited
particularly, the observed section may be the cross section perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction.
[0080]
In addition, the ferrite, the pearlite, the martensite, the bainite, the tempered
15 martensite, the tempered bainite, the spheroidal cementites, and the cementites are taken
into consideration for the determination of the fraction of metallographic structure.
Nitrides or carbides such as BN, TiC, TiN, and A1N, other fine precipitates^ residual
austenite and the like are not taken into consideration for the determination1 of the
fraction.
20 [0081]
It is preferable that the Vickers hardness is measured ten times in total per one
specimen and the average value is calculated. Although a measured section is not
limited particularly, the measured section may be the cross section perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction.
25 [0082]
^ 36
Next, the method of producing the steel for carburizing and the carburized steel I
f;
component according to the embodiment will be described.
[0083]
First, the method of producing the steel for carburizing according to the
5 embodiment will be described.
[0084]
In a casting process, molten steel which consists of the base elements, the
selective elements, and the unavoidable impurities as described above is casted to obtain
a bloom. Although a casting method is not limited particularly, a vacuum casting
10 method, a continuous casting method, and the like may be employed.
[0085] * [
In addition, according to the necessity, a soaking, a blooming, and the like may
be conducted by using the bloom after the casting process. - !
[0086]
15 The steel for carburizing which has the above-mentioned metallographic
structure can be produced by using the bloom and by selecting any method of producing
the same as described below.
[0087]
In order to produce the steel for carburizing with the metallographic structure
20 which includes, by area%, the ferrite and the pearlite of 85% to 100% in total, it is
preferable to conduct the following producing method.
[0088]
In the hot working process, the bloom after the casting process is hot-worked to
obtain the hot worked steel material, which is the hot rolling, the hot forging, and the like.
25 Although deformation processing conditions such as working temperature, working ratio, ' -
I
^ 37
strain rate, and the like are not limited particularly in the hot working process, appropriate conditions may be employed.
I
•
[0089]
In the slow cooling process, the hot worked steel material which is still not
5 cooled just after the hot working process is slow-cooled to obtain the steel for carburizing
by the cooling rate of more than 0 °C/s to 1 °C/s in the temperature range where the
surface temperature of the hot worked steel material is 800°C to 500°C.
[0090]
When the cooling rate in the temperature range of 800°C to 500°C where the
10 austenite is transformed to the ferrite and the pearlite is more than 1 °C/s, the fraction of
the bainite and the nwtensite become excessive. As a result, the hardness of the steel
for carburizing increases, the deformation resistance increases, and the critical working
ratio decreases. Thus, it is preferable that the cooling rate in the temperature range is
•
limited to more than 0 °C/s to 1 °C/s. More preferably, it is more than 0 °C/s to 0.7 °C/s.
15 In the slow cooling process, in order to decrease the cooling rate of the hot worked steel
material after the hot working process, an insulating cover, an insulating cover with
heater, a retention furnace, and the like may be equipped after a rolling line or a
hot-forging line.
[0091]
20 In order to produce the steel for carburizing with the metallographic structure
which includes, by area%, the ferrite and the spheroidal cementites of 85% to 100% in
total, it is preferable to conduct the following producing method.
[0092]
In the spheroidizing annealing process, the hot worked steel material after the
25 slow cooling process may be additionally spheroidizing-annealed to obtain the steel for
j
^ 38
carburizing. ,
[0093]
For the spheroidizing annealing, for example, the following heat treating may be f
i
conducted. The hot worked steel material after the slow cooling process is heated to a I
i
5 temperature just above or just below Ac 1 point (a temperature at which the austenite
begins to form during heating) and is cooled slowly. Or, the hot worked steel material
I
after the slow cooling process is heated to a temperature just above Acl point and is
cooled to a temperature just below Arl point (a temperature at which the austenite
completes the transformation to the ferrite or the ferrite and cementites during cooling),
10 and the treatment of the heating and the cooling repeats several times. Or, the hot
worked steel material after the slow cooling process is quenched once and thereafter is
tempered for 3 hours to 100 hours in a temperature range of 600°C to 700°C. Although }•
the spheroidizing annealing method is not limited particularly, conventional annealing
and conventional spheroidizing heat treatment may be employed as described above.
15 [0094]
The hardness of the steel for carburizing after the spheroidizing annealing
process can further decrease as compared with the steel for carburizing without the
spheroidizing annealing process. The reasons are that cementites with lamellae shape in
the pearlite structure which is included in the metallographic structure before the
i
20 spheroidizing annealing process are divided, are spheroidized, and are grown by the i
spheroidizing annealing process, and the hardness in area which was pearlite structure
decreases. Moreover, the harder phases such as the bainite, the martensite, and the like
which are included in the metallographic structure before the spheroidizing annealing
process soften by dislocation recovery, precipitation and growth of the cementites, and
25 the like by the spheroidizing annealing process. Thus, it is preferable to conduct the
I".
'-.
% 39
spheroidizing annealing process in order further to decrease the hardness of the steel for
carburizing, to decrease the deformation resistance, and to increase the critical working
ratio.
[0095]
5 In order to produce the steel for carburizing whose shape is the bar and the wire
rod in which the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is round, and
whose metallographic structure includes the ferrite and the pearlite which are limited, by
area%, to 10% or less in total and the balance which includes at least one of the
martensite, the bainite, the tempered martensite, the tempered bainite, and the cementites
10 in the surface layer which is the portion from the periphery to r x 0.01, it is preferable to
conduct the following producing method.
[0096]
In the hot controlled rolling process, the bloom after the casting process is
hot-rolled to obtain the hot-controlled-rolled steel material by controlling conditions so
15 that the surface temperature at the exit side of the final finish rolling becomes 700°C to
1000°C.
[0097]
In the rapid cooling process, the hot-controlled-rolled steel material which is still
not cooled just after the final finish rolling of the hot controlled rolling process is
20 rapid-cooled so that the surface temperature of the hot-controlled-rolled steel material is
more than 0°C to 500°C.
[0098]
In the self-reheating process, the hot-controlled-rolled steel material after the
rapid cooling process is self-reheated at least one time or more to obtain the steel for
25 carburizing.
[-.
K
W 40
[0099]
In the hot controlled rolling process, in order to refine the grains, the surface
temperature of the hot-controlled-rolled steel material is controlled to 700°C to 1000°C at
the exit side of the final finish rolling. When the surface temperature is more than
5 1000°C, grain size becomes coarse as same as conventional hot rolled steel materials.
When the surface temperature is less than 700°C, it is difficult to obtain the
metallographic structure with small fraction of the ferrite in the surface layer. Thus, it is
preferable that the surface temperature of the hot-controlled-rolled steel material at the
exit side of the final finish rolling is the temperature range of 700°C to 1000°C.
10 [0100]
In the rapid cooling process, in order to obtain the metallographic structure with
small fraction of the ferrite in the surface layer which is the portion from the periphery to
r x 0.01 by promoting the martensitic transformation or the bainitic transformation, the
hot-controlled-rolled steel material is rapid-cooled so that the surface temperature is
15 more than 0°C to 500°C. In other words, it is preferable that the surface temperature of
the hot-controlled-rolled steel material is rapid-cooled to the temperature range of more
than 0°C to 500°C which is below the transformation start temperature such as Ms point
(a temperature at which the austenite begins to be transformed to the martensite during
cooling) or Bs point (a temperature at which the austenite begins to be transformed to the
20 bainite during cooling) in the rapid cooling process. More preferably, it is more than
0°C to 450°C.
[0101]
In the self-reheating process, in order to perform the microstructure control such
that the martensite or the bainite is transformed to the tempered martensite or the
25 tempered bainite in the surface layer, the hot-controlled-rolled steel material after the
h
'v
f
I
rapid cooling process is self-reheated at least one time or more. By tempering the
martensite or the~bainite, incidence of quenching crack and season cracking is reduced. *
For the self-reheating method, the tempered martensite or the tempered bainite may be
intentionally formed by equipping a production facility with a heating part to reheat. Or,
5 the tempered martensite or the tempered bainite may be formed by raising again the
temperature of the surface layer by the self-reheating which is derived from the heat of a
central portion of the hot-controlled-rolled steel material after the rapid cooling process
where the quenching effect is not influenced. It is possible to obtain the same effect
even if either method as mentioned above is employed. However, in order to conduct
10 the self-reheating process several times, the heating part is necessary for the
self-reheating. Moreover, it is preferable that the temperature of the surface layer does
not exceed 800°C during the self-reheating. When the temperature of the surface layer
is more than 800°C, the tempered martensite or the tempered bainite is transformed to the
austenite again. More preferably, it is 720°C or less. Moreover, it is preferable that
15 the temperature of the surface layer becomes 400°C or more during the self-reheating.
[0102]
In order to produce the steel for carburizing such that the cementites of 90% to
100% are the cementites whose aspect ratio is 3 or less in the cementites included in the
metallographic structure of the surface layer, it is preferable to conduct the following
20 producing method.
[0103]
In the spheroidizing annealing process, the hot-controlled-rolled steel material
after the self-reheating process may be additionally spheroidizing-annealed to obtain the
steel for carburizing. Although the spheroidizing annealing method is not limited
25 particularly, the conventional annealing and the conventional spheroidizing heat
: f
W 42
treatment may be employed as described above.
[0104]
By performing the spheroidizing annealing for the low-temperature-transformed j
microstructure such as the martensite and the bainite or the microstructure tempered from
5 the low-temperature-transformed microstructure such as the tempered martensite and the
tempered bainite, it is possible to obtain the metallographic structure such that the ferrite
grains in matrix are fine and the spheroidal cementites disperse uniformly and finely in
the matrix. When, in the cementites included in the metallographic structure of the
surface layer, the cementites of 90% to 100% are the cementites whose aspect ratio is 3
10 or less, the critical working ratio at the cold forging further increases.
[0105]
Next, the method of producing the carburized steel component according to the
embodiment will be described.
[0106]
15 In a cold working process, the steel for carburizing, which consists of the base
elements, the selective elements, and the unavoidable impurities and which is produced
through the process selected from the slow cooling process, the self-reheating process,
and the spheroidizing annealing process, is cold-worked in order to give a shape.
Although deformation processing conditions such as working ratio, strain rate, and the
20 like are not limited particularly in the cold working process, appropriate conditions may
be employed.
[0107]
In a carburizing process, the steel for carburizing.after the cold working* process
which was given the shape is carburized or is carbonitrized. In order to obtain the
25 carburized steel component which has the metallographic structure and the hardness as
j
mentioned above, it is preferable that, as conditions for the carburizing or the
carbonitriding, temperature is controlled to 830°C to 1100°C, carbon potential is controlled to 0.5% to 1.2%, and carburizing time is controlled to 1 hour or more.
[0108]
5 In a finish heat treatment process after the carburizing process, the quenching or
the quenching and tempering is conducted to obtain the carburized steel component. In
order to obtain the carburized steel component which has the metallographic structure
and the hardness as mentioned above, it is preferable that, as conditions for the
quenching or the quenching and tempering, temperature of quenching medium is
10 controlled to the room temperature to 250°C. Moreover, according to the necessity,
•
subzero treatment may be conducted after the quenching.
-
[0109]
In addition, according to the necessity, the steel for carburizing before the cold
working process may be additionally annealed as a annealing process. By the annealing,
15 the hardness of the steel for carburizing decreases, the deformation resistance decreases,
and the critical working ratio increases. Although annealing conditions are not limited
particularly, appropriate conditions may be employed.
[0110]
In addition, according to the necessity, the steel for carburizing after the cold
20 working process and before the carburizing process may be additionally cut to give a
shape as a cutting process. By the cutting, it is possible to give the steel for carburizing
a precise shape difficult to be formed by only the cold-working.
[0111]
In addition, according to the necessity, the steel for carburizing after the finish
25 heat treatment process may be additionally shot-peened as a shot-peening process. By
9 • 44
the shot-peening, compressive residual stress is induced to the surface layer of the j
carburized steel component. Since the compressive residual stress suppresses initiation
and propagation of fatigue cracks, it is possible to further improve the tooth root and
tooth surface fatigue strength of the carburized steel component. For the shot-peening,
5 it is preferable that shot peening media of 0.7 mm or less in diameter are employed and
arc height is 0.4 mm or more as conditions. Example
[0112]
10 Hereinafter, the effects of an aspect of the present invention will be described in
detail with reference to the following examples. However, the condition in the
examples is an example condition employed to confirm the operability and the effects of
the present invention, so that the present invention is not limited to the example condition.
The present invention can employ various types of conditions as long as the conditions
15 do not depart from the scope of the present invention and can achieve the object of the
present invention.
[0113]
(Experiment 1)
As the casting process, molten steel made by the converter having the chemical
20 composition as shown in Table 1 was casted by the continuous casting to obtain a bloom.
The bloom was subjected to the soaking and the blooming to obtain a bloom with a shape
of 162 mm square. As the hot working process, the bloom was hot-worked to obtain a
hot worked steel material with the bar shape in which the cross section perpendicular to
the longitudinal direction was round and the diameter of the cross section was 35 mm.
25 As the slow cooling process, the hot worked steel material was slow-cooled by the
W 45
cooling rate as shown in Table 2 with the insulating cover or the insulating cover with
heater which were equipped after the rolling line to obtain the steel for carburizing.
Thereafter, as the spheroidizing annealing process (SA process: Spheroidizing Annealing),
the spheroidizing annealing was conducted.
L
5 [0114]
Various properties of the steel for carburizing which was produced as described
above were evaluated. Specimens for the hardness measurement and the metallographic '-
structure observation were sampled at the position which was 1/4 in depth of the
diameter of the cross section from the periphery of the steel for carburizing with the bar
10 shape. In addition, Specimens (6 mm in diameter x 9 mm, notch configuration5: 30
degree, depth: 0.8 mm, radius of curvature at tip portion: 0.15 mm) for the measurement
of the critical working ratio were sampled so that the longitudinal direction of the steel [
for carburizing became the compression direction. Measurement results of the hardness,
the metallographic structure, and the critical working ratio of the steel for carburizing
15 after the slow cooling process and after the spheroidizing annealing process (S A process)
are shown in Table 2.
[0115]
The hardness was measured ten times in total by using the Vickers hardness
tester, and the average value was calculated. When the hardness of the steel for
20 carburizing after the slow cooling process was HV 125 or less, and when the hardness of
the steel for carburizing after the spheroidizing annealing process was HV 110 or less,
the softening was sufficient and it was judged to be acceptable.
[0116]
The metallographic structure was observed by the optical microscope after the
25 steel for carburizing after the slow cooling process was nital-etched and the steel for
W 46
carburizing after the spheroidizing annealing process was picral-etched. Total fraction
of the ferrite and the pearlite and total fraction of the ferrite and the spheroidal cementites
were determined by the image analysis. In addition, the balance except the above in the
metallographic structure was the pearlite, the martensite, the bainite, the tempered
5 martensite, the tempered bainite, the cementites, or the like.
[0117]
The critical working ratio was measured by the conditions such that the cold
compression was conducted by the rate of 10 mm/min by using the restricted die and the
compression was stopped when the microcracking of 0.5mm or more was initiated at the
10 vicinity of the notch, and the working ratio at the time was calculated. The
measurement was conducted ten times in total, the compression ratio in which the
cumulative failure probability became 50% was measured, and the compression ratio was
regarded as the critical working ratio. The critical working ratio of the conventional
steel for carburizing was approximately 65%. Therefore, when the critical working
15 ratio was 68% or more which was clearly higher than the conventional value, it was
judged to be excellent in the critical working ratio.
[0118]
In addition, the carburizing property was evaluated by the following method.
Specimens (20 mm in diameter x 30 mm) for the carburizing were sampled at the
20 position which was 1/4 in depth of the diameter of the cross section from the periphery of
the steel for carburizing which was produced by the above-mentioned method, so that the
longitudinal direction became the compression direction. As the cold working process,
the cold upset compression with the compression ratio of 50% was conducted by using
the specimens for the carburizing. The conditions for the upset compression were at the
25 room temperature, using the restricted die, and by the strain rate of 1 /sec. As the
carburizing process, the specimens for the carburizing after the upset compression were
carburized by the converted gas method. The gas carburizing was conducted by the
conditions such that the carbon potential was 0.8%, the holding was for 5 hours at 950°C,
and the subsequent holding was for 0.5 hours at 850°C. As the finish heat treatment
5 process after the carburizing process, the oil quenching was conducted to 130°C and the
tempering was conducted for 90 minutes at 150°C to obtain the carburized steel
component.
[0119]
Properties of the carburized layer and the steel portion of the carburized steel
10 component which was produced as described above were evaluated. Measurement
results are shown in Table 2.
[0120] '
For the carburized layer of the carburized steel component, the hardness at the
position of 50 urn in depth from the surface and the hardness at the position of 0:4 mm in
15 depth from the surface were measured ten times in total by using the Vickers hardness
tester, and the average values were calculated. When the hardness at the position of 50
urn in depth from the surface was HV 650 to HV 1000, and when the hardness at the
position of 0.4 mm in depth from the surface was HV 550 to HV 900, the hardness was
sufficient and it was judged to be acceptable.
•
20 [0121]
For the carburized layer of the carburized steel component, the metallographic
structure at the position of 0.4 mm in depth from the surface was evaluated. The
-
metallographic structure was observed by the optical microscope after the nital etching.
The fraction of the martensite was determined by the image analysis. In addition, the
25 balance except the above in the metallographic structure was the ferrite, the pearlite, the
V 48
bainite, the tempered martensite, the tempered bainite, the spheroidal cementites, the
cementites, or the like.
[0122]
For the steel portion of the carburized steel component, the hardness and the
5 chemical composition at the position of 2 mm in depth from the surface were evaluated.
The hardness was measured ten times in total by using the Vickers hardness tester, and
the average value was calculated. When the hardness was HV 250 to HV 500, the
hardness was sufficient and it was judged to be acceptable. The chemical composition
was measured by the quantitative analysis of the elements of atomic number 5 or more
10 by using EPMA {Electron Probe Micro Analyser). When the chemical composition was
the almost same as the chemical composition of the bloom which was the starting
material, it was judged to be equivalent.
[0123]
For the steel portion of the carburized steel component, the prior austenite grains
15 at the position of 2 mm in depth from the surface were observed. In respect to the
existence of the grain coarsening of the prior austenite, when at least one grain with the
diameter of 100 urn or more existed in the observed section, it was judged to be "coarse
•
grain". Or, when at least one grain with JIS grain size number of No. 4 or less existed,
it might be judged to be "coarse grain".
20 [0124]
As shown in Tables 1 and 2, in regard to the examples 1 to 16, all of the
chemical composition, the hardness parameter, the hardenability parameter, and the A1N <
precipitation parameter achieved the target, so that the properties which were required as
the steel for carburizing and the carburized steel components were satisfied.
25 [0125]
^ 49
On the other hand, in regard to the comparative examples 17 to 28, any of the
chemical composition, the hardness parameter, the hardenability parameter, and the A1N
precipitation parameter did not achieve the target, so that the properties which were i
required as the steel for carburizing and the carburized steel components were not
5 satisfied.
[0126]
In regard to the comparative examples Nos.17 and 18, since C content, Al
content, B content, and N content of the chemical composition and the hardness
parameter were out of the range of the present invention, the hardness and the critical
10 working ratio of the steel for carburizing were unacceptable.
In regard to the comparative example No. 19, since the hardness parameter was
out of the range of the present invention, the hardness and the critical working ratio of
i
the steel for carburizing were unacceptable.
In regard to the comparative examples Nos. 20 and 21, since the hardenability
15 parameter was out of the range of the present invention, the hardness of the steel portion
of the carburized steel component was unacceptable.
In regard to the comparative example No. 22, since B content of the chemical
composition was out of the range of the present invention, the hardness of the steel
portion of the carburized steel component was unacceptable.
20 In regard to the comparative example No. 23, since C content of the chemical
composition and the hardness parameter were out of the range of the present invention,
the hardness and the critical working ratio of the steel for carburizing were unacceptable. •
In regard to the comparative example No. 24, since C content of the chemical
composition was out of the range of the present invention, the hardness of the steel
25 portion of the carburized steel component was unacceptable.
I!
f.
* t 50
In regard to the comparative example No. 25, since Al content and N content of
the chemical composition and the A1N precipitation parameter were out of the range of {
the present invention, the critical working ratio of the steel for carburizing and the
hardness of the steel portion of the carburized steel component were unacceptable.
5 Specifically, since N content was excessive so that coarse TiN was formed and acted as
the fracture origin during the cold working, the critical working ratio of the steel for
carburizing was unacceptable. Since A1N precipitation parameter was insufficient so
that the improvement effect of the hardenability by B addition was not obtained, and
since the pinning effect of the austenite grain by A1N during the carburizing was
10 insufficient so that the grain coarsening occurred, the hardness of the steel portion of the
carburized steel component was unacceptable.
In regard to the comparative example No. 26, since Al content of the chemical
composition was more than the range of the present invention, the hardness and the
critical working ratio of the steel for carburizing were unacceptable.
15 In regard to the comparative examples No. 27, since N content of the chemical
composition and the A1N precipitation parameter were out of the range of the present
invention, the hardness of the steel portion of the carburized steel component was
unacceptable. This resulted from that the improvement effect of the hardenability by B
addition was not obtained, and that the pinning effect of the austenite grain by A1N
20 during the carburizing was insufficient so that the grain coarsening occurred.
In regard to the comparative examples No. 28, the A1N precipitation parameter
was more than the range of the present invention, the hardness of the steel portion of the
carburized steel component was unacceptable.
[0127]
25 (Experiment 2)
4
As the casting process, molten steel made by the converter having the chemical
composition of steel No. B as shown in Table 1 was casted by the continuous casting to
obtain a bloom. The bloom was subjected to the soaking and the blooming to obtain a ;
bloom with a shape of 162 mm square. As the hot controlled rolling process, the hot
5 controlled rolling was conducted by controlling the finish temperature as shown in Table
3 by using the bloom to obtain a hot-controlled-rolled steel material with the bar shape in
which the cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction was round and the
diameter of the cross section was 35 mm. As the rapid cooling process, the
hot-controlled-rolled steel material was rapid-cooled so that temperature of the surface
10 layer became that as shown in Table 3 by using the water cooler which was equipped
after the rolling line. Thereafter, as the self-reheating process, by raising again the
temperature of the surface layer by the self-reheating which was derived from the heat of
the central portion where the quenching effect was not influenced, the steel for
carburizing was obtained. In addition, as the spheroidizing annealing process (SA
15 process), the spheroidizing annealing was conducted.
[0128]
Various properties of the steel for carburizing which was produced as described
above were evaluated. Specimens for the hardness measurement were sampled at the t
position which was 1/4 in depth of the diameter of the cross section from the periphery of i
i
20 the steel for carburizing with the bar shape. Specimens for the metallographic structure
observation were sampled at the position which was r x 0.01 in depth from the periphery. ,
In addition, Specimens (6 mm in diameter x 9 mm, notch configuration: 30 degree,
depth: 0.8 mm, radius of curvature at tip portion: 0.15 mm) for the measurement of the
critical working ratio were sampled so that the longitudinal direction of the steel for
25 carburizing became the compression direction. Measurement results of the hardness,
4
52
the metallographic structure, and the critical working ratio of the steel for carburizing
after the' self-reheating process and after the spheroidizing annealing process (SA
process) are shown in Table 3.
[0129]
5 The measuring method and the criterion of the. hardness were the same as the
experiment 1. The measuring method and the criterion of the critical working ratio
were also the same as the experiment 1.
[0130] -
The metallographic structure was observed by the optical microscope after the
10 steel for carburizing after the self-reheating process was nital-etched and the steel for
carburizing after the spheroidizing annealing process was picral-etched. Total fraction
of the ferrite and the pearlite, the number of the cementites, and the aspect ratio were
determined by the image analysis. In addition, the balance except the above in the
. h
metallographic structure was the martensite, the bainite, the tempered martensite, ifie
15 tempered bainite, the spheroidal cementites, the cementites, or the like. j
[0131]
Also the carburizing property was evaluated. The carburizing method, the
evaluating method, and the criterion were the same as the experiment 1.
[0132]
20 - As shown in Tables 1 and 3, in the examples 29 to 36, all of the chemical
composition, the hardness parameter, the hardenability parameter; and the A1N
precipitation parameter achieved the target, so that the properties which were required as
the steel for carburizing and the carburized steel components were satisfied.
:
:
I — — — — • — — . 1 1 i ii • i i i
Zj n} Comparative Example Example g.
4 01 | N - < x § < C H M a O T i 0 2 S r 7 ; c . - i o - i i m o o n > Steel No. _
i — — ~ - — — ~ — — — — — ~ — — — — ^ — — — — — — — — — — i i
9 - 3 O O O O Q O O O O O O O O O O O O O Q O O O O O O O S
S | r f u i i V ^ a ^ j - - L i i 1 o L 1 b ; j : - > ; - ' : - - j - - ' - ' - ^ ^ U On>
=-. g j o o o o - i * loo o o o r o o o o - j o o o o o o o o o o o o o q
fl> r+ """ ~~ ~~ " " ~~ —~ —~ ~~" """" "~" ~~" ~~ ~~ ~ " ^ " ~~ "~" ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ "~ ———————— Q"
• ^ - J r o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o SL
< r b b b b b b b b b u N ' o b b i o b i o ; o u b b » b l o b b _!? r-.
5 L W c j i o i o i c j i a i o i t n o i o i o w c n - i - l c i o i o i O ' s t - i - ' > j o i o i o i - * y
c q ._ , 0
» ft> o q
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r + O O O O O O O O C J l O O O O O C n O O O O O O O O O O O O -> 2 .
o> Ej : o
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tp o o ' o b o ' o ' o b o o o b b b b o o b ' o b o o ' o o b o rn ,D
0> O O O O O O O - ' - ' - ' — O O O O O - ' O O O O O O - ' O O 0>
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C D - ^ c o u i o o a o o a Q o o o o o c o o c o ^ c o ^ w o c o o o o o o a o o o c o o o c o
_ _ 2 . £ £ . S ° _ l _ S 2 _ _ l _ _ _ £ _ _ _ _ 2 . S . _ l ° . _ l
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
g b b b b b b b b b b b b o o b b b b b b b b b b b _.
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o O
r o o o — * -* —* o o —* — —i — ^L ro — INJ — ^ o r o o c o — * — * o — f c — • •
- t P O o o - * o p < o ( n u o ) 0 0 0 > o m j i - i N > J O - ' O c o o } f l i I
b o o o o i o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o Hardness
— 1^ — — ^>Ka. — — — K o u K > r o : - ' K a : - L i o ' - ' i o — — KaKsKs — ^ 1101411000
o i r o o o i u r o i i J A c o o o s M a i c i i o i o c n u ^ ^ N a - i ^ r o M Parameter
* — — -— _ _ — — — —« - ^ ^— _ _ — — O-m — —. ^ _ — ^ _ _ — _ ^ _ ^ ^ ^ . ^ ^ * ^ ^ . ^ ^—
m m m m S m m M K » S _ ^ r t S S S m ^ _ » o ! S ~ j f t S m ^ Hardenability
0 0 C O O 3 O 3 0 O 0 O O 3 ' . O - ^ C O N 3 O « O O 0 3 O - ^ l ~ r o . C 0 O 0 0 r o *
b b b b b ' o b I N I a > b k b * u i « o i b i j b P N 0 ' * * b b i Parameter
^— — — —— ~— —— _ — — — — w— —— -^ — —— —- —— — — — ^ ^ — ^ — ^ ^ _ — -
O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O . . .
b b b b b b b b b ' o p b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b AIN Precipitation
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
— 0 — O 0 0 O O O O 0 0 O - » 0 O 0 0 0 p O O O O 0 O Parameter
^ i o o u t D < o i 0 ( o ( D ( o o i o u o o u i s i o ) i c f o ( o u i t D ( o < o ( o raramcT.er
1 Comparative Example Example gj.
A \ | I V I I I I I I I 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I l If
™ S 5 8 S ! S S N - o i o a ^ Q o i ^ « M ^ o I D < D x l o , l ? , J i t o N | - ' Production No. NI
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Industrial Applicability
[0136]
According to the above aspects of the present invention in regard to the steel for
the carburizing, the carburized steel component, and the method of producing the same, it ;
10 is possible to provide a steel for carburizing, a carburized steel component, and a method
of producing the same, which have, in the state of the steel for carburizing, small
deformation resistance and large critical working ratio at a cold forging as compared with
the conventional steel for carburizing, and which have, after a carburizing heat treatment,
a hardened layer and hardness of steel portion which are equivalent to a conventional
15 steel. Accordingly, the present invention has significant industrial applicability.
L
•
i
CLAIMS
1. A steel for a carburizing comprising as a chemical composition, by mass %,
C: 0.07% to 0.13%,
5 Si: 0.0001% to 0.50%,
Mn: 0.0001% to 0.80%,
S: 0.0001% to 0.100%,
Cr: more than 130% to 5.00%,
8:0.0005% to 0.0100%,
10 Al: 0.070% to 0.200%,
N: 0.0030% to 0.0100%,
Ti: limited to 0.020%. or less,
P: limited to 0.050% or less,
O: limited to 0.0030% or less, and
15 a balance consisting of iron and unavoidable impurities,
wherein amounts expressed in mass% of each element in the chemical
composition satisfy simultaneously
a following Equation 1 as a hardness parameter,
a following Equation 2 as a hardenability parameter, and
20 a following Equation 3 as an AIN precipitation parameter.
0.10 < C + 0.194 X Si + 0.065 x Mn + 0.012 x Cr + 0.078 x Al<
0.235 ...(Equation 1)
7.5 < (6.7 X Si + 1) X (5.1 X Mn + 1) x (2.16 x Cr + 1) < 44 ...(Equation 2)
0.0003 < Al X (N - Ti X (14/48)) < 0.0011 ...(Equation 3)
25
2. The steel for the carburizing according to claim 1, further comprising as the
chemical composition, by mass %, at least one of
Nb: 0.002% to 0.100%,
V: 0.002% to 0,20%,
5 Mo: 0.005% to 0.50%,
Ni: 0.005% to 1.00%,
Cu: 0.005% to 0.50%,
Ca: 0.0002% to 0.0030%,
Mg: 0.0002% to 0.0030%,
10 Te: 0.0002% to 0.0030%,
Zr: 0.0002% to 0.0050%,
Rare Earth Metal: 0.0002% to 0.0050%, and
Sb: 0.002% to 0.050%,
wherein the hardness parameter is defined as a following Equation 4 on behalf
15 of the Equation 1 and the hardenability parameter is defined as a following Equation 5 on
behalf of the Equation 2.
0.10 < C + 0.194 X Si + 0.065 x Mn + 0.012 x Cr + 0.033 x Mo + 0.067 x Ni +
0.097 X Cu + 0.078 x Al< 0.235 ...(Equation 4)
7.5 < (0.7 X Si + 1) x (5.1 X Mn + 1) X (2.16 x Cr + 1) x (3 x Mo + 1) x (0.3633
20 X Ni + 1) < 44 ...(Equation 5)
3. The steel for the carburizing ^according to claim 1 or 2,
Vvherein a metallographic structure incBudes, by area%, a ferrite and a p^earlite of
85% to 100% in total.
25
^1 M-rj
4. The steel for the carburizing according to claim 3,
wherein the metallographic structure includes, by area%, the ferrite and
spheroidal cementites of 85% to 100% in total.
5 5. The steel for the carburizing according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein a shape is a bar or a wire rod in which a cross section perpendicular to a
longitudinal direction is round, and
wherein, when a distance from a periphery to a center of the cross section is
defined as r in unit of mm, in a metallographic structure of a surface layer which is a
10 portion from the periphery to r x 0.01, a ferrite and a pearlite are limited, by area%), to
10% or less in total, and a balance includes at least one of martensite, bainite, tempered
martensite, tempered bainite, and cementites.
6. The steel for the carburizing according to claim 5,
15 wherein, in the cementites included in the metallographic structure of the surface
layer, the cementites of 90%) to 100% are cementites whose aspect ratio is 3 or less.
7. A method of producing the steel for the carburizing according to Claim 1 or 2,
the method comprising,
20 a casting process to obtain a bloom,
a hot working process of hot-working the bloom to obtain a hot worked steel
material, and
a slow cooling process of slow-cooling by a cooling rate of more than 0 °C/s to
1 °C/s in a temperature range where a surface temperature of the hot worked steel
25 material is 800°C to 500°C after the hot working process.
8. The method of producing the steel for the carburizing according to Claim 7, the
.method further comprising,
a spheroidizing annealing process of spheroidizing-annealing the hot-worked
5 steel material after the slow cooling process.
9. A method of producing the steel for the carburizing according to Claim 1 or 2,
the method comprising,
a casting process to obtam a bloom,
10 a hot controlled rolling process of hot-rolling the bloom by controlling
conditions so that a surface temperature at an exit side of a final finish rolling becomes
700°C to 1000°C to obtain a hot-controlled-rolled steel material,
a rapid cooling process of rapid-cooling so that the surface temperature of the
hot-controlled-rolled steel material is more than 0°C to 500°C after the hot controlled
15 rolling process, and
a self-reheating process of self-reheating the hot-controlled-rolled steel material
after the rapid cooling process at least one time or more.
10. The method of producing the steel for the carburizing according to Claim 9, the
20 method flirther comprising,
a spheroidizing aimealing process of spheroidizing-antiealing the
hot-controlled-rolled steel material after the self-reheating process.
11. A carburized steel component comprising a steel portion and a carburized layer
25 - with a thickness of more than 0.4 mm to less than 2 mm which is formed on an outside of
the steel portion, -
wherein, in the carburized layer, a Vickers hardness at a position of 50 |jin in
depth from a surface is HV 650 to HV 10,00, a Vickers hardness at a position of 0.4 mm
in depth from the surface is HY 550 to HV 900, and a metallographic structure at the
5 position of 0.4 mm in depth from the surface includes by area% martensite of 90% to •
100%, and
wherein, in the steel portion at a position of 2 mm in depth from the surface, a
. chemical composition consists of the chemical composition according to Claim 1 or 2,
and a Vickers hardness is HV 250 to HV 500.
10
12. A method of producing the carburized steel component according to Claim 11,
the method comprising,
a cold working process of cold-working the steel for the carburizing to give a
'Shape,
15 a carburizing process of carburizing or carbonitriding the Steel for the
carburizing after the cold working process, and
a finish heat treatment process of quenching or quenching and tempering after
the carburizing process.
20 13. Themethodof producing the carburized steel component according to Claim 12,
the method further comprising,
a cutting process of cutting to give a shape after cold working process and
before the caAurizing process.