Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evaluation of toughness in AISI 4340 alloy steel austenitized at low and high temperatures

  • Published:
Metallurgical Transactions A Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

It has been reported for as-quenched AISI 4340 steel that high temperature austenitizing treatments at 1200°C, instead of conventional heat-treatment at 870°C, result in a two-foldincrease in fracture toughness,K Ic, but adecrease in Charpy impact energy. This paper seeks to find an explanation for this discrepancy in Charpy and fracture toughness data in terms of the difference betweenK Ic and impact tests. It is shown that the observed behavior is independent of shear lip energy and strain rate effects, but can be rationalized in terms of the differing response of the structure produced by each austenitizing treatment to the influence of notch root radius on toughness. The microstructural factors which affect this behavior are discussed. Based on these and other observations, it is considered that the use of high temperature austenitizing be questioned as a practical heat-treatment procedure for ultrahigh strength, low alloy steels. Finally, it is suggested that evaluation of material toughness should not be based solely onK Ic or Charpy impact energy values alone; both sharp crack fracture toughness and rounded notch impact energy tests are required.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. G. Y. Lai, W. E. Wood, R. A. Clark, V. F. Zackay, and E. R. Parker:Met. Trans., 1974, vol. 5, p. 1663.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. D. Dulieu: Discussion to paper by V. F. Zackay, E. R. Parker, and W. E. Wood;Proc. Third Intl. Conf. on the Strength of Metals and Alloys, vol. 2, p. 383, Institute of Metals/Iron and Steel Institute, Cambridge, England, Aug. 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  3. W. E. Wood, E. R. Parker, and V. F. Zackay: Rept. No. LBL-1474, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. 94720, May, 1973.

  4. A. A. Anctil and E. B. Kula: unpublished research, Army Materials and Me- chanics Research Center, Watertown, Mass., 1975.

  5. Annual Book of ASTM Standards (American Society for Testing and Materials), ASTM Standards E399-74, Philadelphia, 1974.

  6. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, (American Society for Testing and Mater- ials), p. 276, ASTM Standards E23-72, Philadelphia, 1972.

  7. W. L. Server and A. S. Tetelman:Eng. Fract. Mech., 1972, vol. 4, p. 367.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. W. L. Server, D. R. Ireland, and R. A. Wullaert: Dynatup Technical Rept. No. TR 74-29R, Effects Technology, Inc., Santa Barbara, California 93105, November 1974.

  9. T. R. Wilshaw, A. Rau, and A. S. Tetelman:Eng. Fract. Mech., 1968, vol. 1, p. 191.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. J. Malkin and A. S. Tetelman:ibid, 1971, vol. 3, p. 151.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. P. T. Heald, G. M. Spink, and P. J. Worthington:Mater. Sci. Eng., 1972, vol. 10, p. 129.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. S. Ensha and A. S. Tetelman: UCLA Tech. Rept., No. 14, UCLA-ENG-7435, SchoolofEngineeringandAppliedScience, University of California, Los Angeles, Calif. 90024, May 1974.

  13. A. H. Cottrell:The Mechanical Properties of Matter, p. 365, John Wiley & Sons, New York, 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  14. A. S. Tetelman, T. R. Wilshaw, and A. Rau:Int. J. Fract. Mech., 1968, vol. 4, p. 147.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. R. O. Ritchie, J. F. Knott, and J. R. Rice:J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 1973, vol. 21, p. 395.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. J. R. Rice and M. A. Johnson:Inelastic Behavior of Solids, M. F. Kanninenefal, eds., p. 641, McGraw Hill, New York, 1970.

    Google Scholar 

  17. J. R. Griffiths and D. R. J. Owen:J. Mech. Phys. Solids, 1971, vol. 19, p. 149.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. G. Chipperfield and J. F. Knott:Metals Technol., 1975, vol. 2, p. 45.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. B. J. Schulz and J. McMahon, Jr.: ASTM STP No. 499. p. 104, American Society for Testing and Materials, 1972.

  20. G. Clark, R. O. Ritchie, and J. F. Knott:Nature Phys. Sci., 1972. vol. 239, p. 104.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. B. J. Schulz and J. McMahon, Jr.:Met. Trans., 1973, vol. 4, p. 2485.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. R.O. Ritchie and J. F. Knott:ibid, 1974, vol. 5. p. 782.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. G. Thomas:Iron Steel International, 1973, vol. 46. p. 451.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. G. Y. Lai:Mater. Sci. Eng., 1975. vol. 19, p. 153.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. W. E. Wood:Eng. Fract. Mech., 1975. vol. 7. p. 219.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. S. K. Das and G. Thomas:Trans. ASM, 1969. vol. 62. p. 659.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. J. A. McMahon and G. Thomas:Proc. Third Intl. Conf. on the Strength of Metals and Alloys, vol. 1, p. 180. Institute of Metals/Iron and Steel Institute, Cambridge, England, Aug. 1973.

    Google Scholar 

  28. R. O. Ritchie, L. E. Geniets, and J. F. Knott:ibid, p. 124.

  29. R. A. Clark and G. Thomas:Met. Trans. A, 1975, vol. 6A,p.969.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. J. R. Rellick and J. McMahon, Jr.:Met. Trans., 1974, vol. 5, p. 2439.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. V. F. Zackay, E. R. Parker, R. D. Goolsby, and W. E. Wood:Nature Phys. Sci., 1972, vol. 236, p. 108.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. T. Tom: D. Eng. Thesis, Rept. No. LBL-1856, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley, Calif. 94720. Sept. 1973.

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and Molecular and Materials Research Division, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, Uni- versity of California, 94720, Berkeley, CA

    Robert O. Ritchie (Miller Research Fellow and Visiting Lecturer)

  2. Harvey Mudd College, 91711, Claremont, CA

    Benjamin Francis (Assistant Professor)

  3. Fracture Control Corporation, 93017, Goleta, CA

    William L. Server (Vice President)

Authors
  1. Robert O. Ritchie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Benjamin Francis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. William L. Server
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

formerly with Effects Technology, Inc., Santa Barbara, CA

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ritchie, R.O., Francis, B. & Server, W.L. Evaluation of toughness in AISI 4340 alloy steel austenitized at low and high temperatures. Metall Trans A 7, 831–838 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02644080

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02644080

Keywords

Search

Navigation