“White sports” of the Rakhshtadt-Bur'kov Paradox

Research on high-strength steels of the pearlitic class, mainly manganese, silicon, and alloys, the isothermal hardening and tempering of which occurs with unusual (compared to the trivial heat treatment) changes in the mechanical properties, has been conducted for quite a long time. Based on the research an attempt has been made to generalize the data and develop recommendations promoting a wider use of isothermal hardening with tempering. This can be attained by widening the temperature ranges of the heat-treatment operations using the possibility of a substantial reduction of the susceptibility of high-strength steels to hydrogen embrittlement. The present paper is devoted to this topic. A still greater practical effect can be attained if this work attracts the attention of electrochemists and not only metal scientists. Their joint effort can be turned toward a successful solution of the problem.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]