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Scientists from Novosibirsk State Technical University in Russia have developed a new heat treatment technique for steel, aimed at enhancing its resistance to impacts and cracks and extending the lifespan of components used in impact machinery and heavy mining equipment.
The technique relies on heating the steel to 860–900 degrees Celsius, then rapidly cooling it to 180–200 degrees Celsius in a molten salt bath, before reheating it to 350–400 degrees Celsius for one hour.
This process results in a microstructure that combines high hardness with the ability to resist crack propagation, making the steel more capable of withstanding high loads and repeated impacts.
Laboratory tests showed a 1.5-fold improvement in the steel's resistance to impact and cracking compared to traditional hardening methods, while maintaining its strength and hardness.
One of the most notable advantages of the technique is the elimination of the tempering stage following rapid cooling, which reduces heat treatment time and production costs.
The effectiveness of the innovation was industrially tested on the PUMA-40 impact machine, produced by the Russian company NPO Gormash, with expectations that it could be used in various mining equipment and heavy machinery to extend the life of their parts and reduce maintenance and replacement costs.
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