Effect of quenching temperature on microstructure and fracture toughness of high carbon steel

The effect of quenching temperatures on microstructure and fracture toughness of high carbon steel was investigated. Plane strain fracture toughness was tested with compact tension specimen. Microstructure and fracture morphology of KIC samples after quenching and tempering treatment were examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM).The results show that the residual carbides of steel in hardened state decreasea with the quenching temperature increasing and totally disappear after quenched at 920??;the grain size grows up obviously when the quenching temperature is more than 960??. The microstructure in high temperature tempered state is composed of residual carbides, precipitated carbides and ferrite matrix;plasticity decreases monotonically; the fracture toughness gradually decreases in the range from 800?? to 960??,and then almost invariant; the fracture type of KIC specimens is gradually changed from cleavage fracture to intergranular fracture. The main reason for the changes of fracture toughness has close relationship with the plasticity.