Determination of optimum heat-treatment of cast 13% manganese steel G13-L

Conclusions

• 1. The switch plates produced showed little difference in strength and impact toughness irrespective of the heat-treating procedure used. Their hardness was within the standard specification limits and structurally they consisted of polyhedral austenite without carbide inclusions.

• 2. The austenite grain size is governed chiefly by the furnace practice of high-manganese steel, deoxidation practice, tapping and casting temperature. Nonmetallic inclusions, microporosity and the austenite grain size affect the wear resistance of G13-L switch plates.

• 3. The accelerated quenching schedule secures a product of a quality meeting specification requirements.