Simulation of through-hardening of SAE 52100 steel bearings - Part I: Determination of material properties

Abstract

A complete material dataset for the simulation of through-hardening of SAE 52100 (DIN/EN 100Cr6, JIS SUJ2) steel was derived by a combination of experimental and theoretical/computational methods. In the experimental part, alpha/quenching and deformation dilatometry techniques are combined with density measurements, X-Ray diffraction, optical and scanning electron microscopy to determine temperature and phase dependent transformation kinetics parameters, thermal and transformation strains, flow curves and the transformation plasticity parameter. Thermal properties such as thermal conductivity, specific heat and enthalpy and elastic properties are acquired by thermodynamics based material property calculation method using a commercial software. For most of the material properties, the results were in good agreement with the literature, while the minor discrepancies are discussed considering the raw material, equipment used, testing and evaluation procedure. In Part II of this article, compiled material data is validated successfully in an industrial oil and salt-bath quenching of bearing races.