Thermo-Mechanical Treatment
Thermomechanical treatment combines plastic deformation with controlled heat treatment to optimize the shape and structure of workpieces. This improves mechanical properties such as strength and toughness.
Physical-Chemical Mechanism of Action
Thermo-mechanical treatment involves deformation of materials under the influence of temperature. Plastic deformation changes the crystal lattice of the material, while controlled heat treatment controls the formation and structuring of the microstructure.
Metallurgical Relevance & Welding Risks
This method is often used in manufacturing high-performance steels to improve their mechanical properties. However, inaccuracies in temperature control or deformation speed can lead to undesirable microstructural changes, such as making the material too hard or too soft. This can impair toughness and deformation capacity.
Workshop Practice & Instructions
To perform a successful thermo-mechanical treatment, the following steps must be observed:
1. Temperature control: The material temperature must be precisely maintained to achieve the desired microstructure.
2. Deformation speed: The speed of plastic deformation should be controlled to ensure uniform structuring of the microstructure.
3. Cooling: After deformation and heat treatment, the material must be slowly cooled to set the new crystal structures.