Research Article

Heat treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels: microstructure-mechanical property relationships for normalization, spheroidization and quenching-tempering

Volume: 5 Number: 2 July 31, 2025
TR EN

Heat treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels: microstructure-mechanical property relationships for normalization, spheroidization and quenching-tempering

Abstract

The mechanical properties of steels are enhanced through heat treatment according to their intended applications. In this study, normalization, pearlite spheroidization, quenching, and tempering at various temperatures were performed on AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels, which are widely used industrially. The effects of these heat treatments on microstructure and mechanical properties were examined. The impact of varying tempering temperatures on mechanical properties such as hardness, tensile strength, yield strength, impact toughness (at -30 °C, 0 °C, and room temperature), and elongation was analyzed and correlated with the microstructures. Additionally, examinations were conducted on AISI 4140 steel to assess the effect of alloying elements on the efficacy of heat treatment. The results revealed that increasing the tempering temperature caused morphological changes in the martensitic structure, leading to a significant decrease in hardness and strength up to 500 °C, with a notable increase in ductility beyond this point. AISI 4140 steel exhibited more pronounced changes in mechanical properties after tempering compared to AISI 1040 steel, highlighting the role of alloying elements in enhancing heat treatment efficiency. Impact tests indicated that the minimum tempering temperatures required to achieve an impact energy above 27 J were 500 °C for AISI 1040 steel and 450 °C for AISI 4140 steel. The study identified the appropriate heat treatment conditions to achieve the expected properties for AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels based on their application areas.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Physical Metallurgy, Material Characterization, Metals and Alloy Materials, Materials Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

July 31, 2025

Submission Date

February 6, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 27, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 5 Number: 2

APA
Çoban, O. (2025). Heat treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels: microstructure-mechanical property relationships for normalization, spheroidization and quenching-tempering. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science, 5(2), 556-567. https://doi.org/10.61112/jiens.1634515
AMA
1.Çoban O. Heat treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels: microstructure-mechanical property relationships for normalization, spheroidization and quenching-tempering. JIENS. 2025;5(2):556-567. doi:10.61112/jiens.1634515
Chicago
Çoban, Ozan. 2025. “Heat Treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 Steels: Microstructure-Mechanical Property Relationships for Normalization, Spheroidization and Quenching-Tempering”. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science 5 (2): 556-67. https://doi.org/10.61112/jiens.1634515.
EndNote
Çoban O (July 1, 2025) Heat treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels: microstructure-mechanical property relationships for normalization, spheroidization and quenching-tempering. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science 5 2 556–567.
IEEE
[1]O. Çoban, “Heat treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels: microstructure-mechanical property relationships for normalization, spheroidization and quenching-tempering”, JIENS, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 556–567, July 2025, doi: 10.61112/jiens.1634515.
ISNAD
Çoban, Ozan. “Heat Treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 Steels: Microstructure-Mechanical Property Relationships for Normalization, Spheroidization and Quenching-Tempering”. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science 5/2 (July 1, 2025): 556-567. https://doi.org/10.61112/jiens.1634515.
JAMA
1.Çoban O. Heat treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels: microstructure-mechanical property relationships for normalization, spheroidization and quenching-tempering. JIENS. 2025;5:556–567.
MLA
Çoban, Ozan. “Heat Treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 Steels: Microstructure-Mechanical Property Relationships for Normalization, Spheroidization and Quenching-Tempering”. Journal of Innovative Engineering and Natural Science, vol. 5, no. 2, July 2025, pp. 556-67, doi:10.61112/jiens.1634515.
Vancouver
1.Ozan Çoban. Heat treatment of AISI 1040 and AISI 4140 steels: microstructure-mechanical property relationships for normalization, spheroidization and quenching-tempering. JIENS. 2025 Jul. 1;5(2):556-67. doi:10.61112/jiens.1634515

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