Mathematical Model for Tempering Time Effect on Quenched Steel Based on Hollomon Parameter

Through the differentiating and integrating process, a mathematical model for tempering time effect on quenched steel was derived based on the attribute of state function and the general equation of Hollomon parameter, which correlates the tempering hardness with the tempering time at different tempering temperature. Using the established model, the linear relationship between the tempering hardness and the tempering time in logarithm was proved theoretically, and the tempering hardness for various tempering time was reduced to the measurement and calculation of a hardness experiment tempered for 1 h at different tempering temperatures. Moreover, the hardness of steel 42CrMo and T8Mn tempered for various times at 200~600 deg C was calculated using this method. The predicted results are in good agreement with those of the available experiments.