Optimization of Cooling Media in Post-Weld Heat Treatment for Improved Durability of Low Carbon Steel Components
Abstract
This study investigates the influence of post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) in various cooling media on the mechanical properties and microstructure of low carbon steel used in fabrication industries. Low carbon steel samples, sourced locally in Ado-Ekiti and complying with ASME specifications, were subjected to welding and subsequent heat treatment processes at temperatures between 900°C and 920°C. Post-weld heat treatment involved quenching in different media, including water, groundnut oil, palm oil, engine oil, and quartz 5000, with the aim of assessing their impact on hardness, microstructure, impact strength, and fatigue behavior. Microstructural analysis revealed notable differences across media: quenched samples in engine oil and groundnut oil exhibited finer grain structures and more uniformly distributed ferrite-pearlite phases, whereas untreated samples showed coarser, less homogeneous microstructures. Hardness testing using Brinnell scale indicated that engine oil-quenching yielded the highest hardness of 133.735 BHN in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and 106.855 BHN in the welded zone, surpassing the untreated sample’s hardness of approximately 100.77 BHN and 100.97 BHN, respectively. Impact strength measurements demonstrated the lowest values in samples quenched in water (35.8 J) but improved significantly in oil-quench media, with engine oil achieving 39.1 J and groundnut oil 37.75 J, approaching the untreated value of 41.55 J. Fatigue tests indicated that oil-quenched specimens possessed higher endurance limits compared to water-quenched ones, signifying enhanced durability. The results substantiate that choice of cooling medium during PWHT critically affects the microstructure and mechanical performance of low carbon steel. Engine oil emerged as the most effective media for attaining higher hardness, impact resistance, and fatigue life, thereby justifying its recommendation for industrial applications requiring strong, durable welded steel structures. The findings underscore the importance of controlled cooling in optimizing the microstructural and mechanical qualities of low carbon steel, facilitating safer and more reliable fabrication practices.
Keywords
post-weld heat treatment (PWHT), low carbon steel, cooling media, microstructure, mechanical properties.
Citations
IRE Journals:
Adewuyi, Reuben Adebare , Omojogberun Yele Veronica
"Optimization of Cooling Media in Post-Weld Heat Treatment for Improved Durability of Low Carbon Steel Components" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals Volume 9 Issue 1 2025 Page 1858-1863
IEEE:
Adewuyi, Reuben Adebare , Omojogberun Yele Veronica
"Optimization of Cooling Media in Post-Weld Heat Treatment for Improved Durability of Low Carbon Steel Components" Iconic Research And Engineering Journals, 9(1)
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