MECHANICAL PROPERTIES AND MICROSTRUCTURE OF AISI41B30 FORGINGS IN AS FORGED AND NORMALIZED CONDITION

An attempt was made to characterized microstructure, mechanical properties and cleanliness of incoming continuous cast as rolled AISI41B30 billets versus microstructure, mechanical properties and cleanliness of the forging in normalized condition, upset forged from AISI 41B30 billets. Two forgings were compared, one in as forged condition and one in normalized or heat treated condition. Upset forged products were produced by upsetting only one end of the billet by hydraulic press. Samples from cold portion of the forgings, near the flange location and from flanges were taken and examined. Results of microstructure, mechanical properties and hardness were presented. Normalizing cycle did not improve mechanical and impact properties. Low impact and ductile properties are coming from Widmanstätten structure and continue to be present in the final product. Low impact and ductile properties of the parts are not the best solution for dynamically loaded parts.