In order to improve the tensile properties of a 0.38% structural steel, it was subjected to Water quenching after austenitizing, followed by tempering in the temperature range 200°C to 700°C. The steel was also normalized and oil quenched after austenitizing. In the normalized condition, the steel exhibited maximum toughness but a lower strength as compared to oil quenched conditions. The strength of the steel was found to increase even further when water quenched and tempered at 300°C and 400°C. However, a small decrease in ductility and toughness also accompanied.
Water quenching, ductility, toughness, tempered, normalizing
