EN36B steel is a versatile and high-strength, case-hardening alloy steel. It is particularly well-suited for applications where durability, насіць супраціў, and strength are essential.
Commonly used in automotive, аэракасмічная, і цяжкія машынныя галіны, EN36B combines high surface hardness with a tough core.
У гэтым блогу, we’ll explore the composition, ўласцівасці, тэрмічная апрацоўка, and applications of EN36B steel, offering a deeper understanding of why it’s a top choice for demanding engineering applications.
1. Уводзіны
EN36B is a carbon steel that falls into the category of low-alloy steel with excellent case-hardening properties.
This makes it ideal for components that require a tough interior with a hardened exterior.
Its strength and ability to endure mechanical stress, along with its resistance to wear, make it a popular choice in industries where parts are exposed to high stress and friction.
By maintaining a soft core and a hard surface, EN36B exhibits the perfect combination of toughness and resistance to surface wear.
2. What is EN36B Steel?
EN36B is classified as a low-alloy steel with case-hardening properties.
The term “case-hardening” refers to a heat treatment process that hardens only the surface of the steel, while the core remains relatively soft and tough.
This unique characteristic makes EN36B an excellent choice for parts that experience high stress and require a durable surface for longevity.
Typically used for high-load components like gears, шахты, and camshafts, EN36B offers an ideal balance between surface hardness and internal toughness.
3. Chemical Composition of EN36B Steel
The chemical composition of EN36B is carefully engineered to enhance its strength, насіць супраціў, і трываласць. Here is a typical breakdown of its alloying elements:
| Элемент | Percentage Range |
|---|---|
| Вуглярод (C) | 0.18 - 0.22% |
| Марганец (Мн) | 0.60 - 0.90% |
| Хром (Кр) | 0.80 - 1.10% |
| Нік (У) | 1.00 - 1.30% |
| Molybdenum (Мо) | 0.20 - 0.35% |
| Фосфар (P) | 0.035% максімум |
| Серы (S) | 0.035% максімум |
How these elements contribute to EN36B’s properties:
- Вуглярод: The carbon content primarily influences the hardness of the steel. It also plays a key role in the case-hardening process.
- Хром: This element enhances surface hardness, насіць супраціў, і ўстойлівасць да карозіі, particularly in high-stress environments.
- Нік: Provides improved toughness, especially at low temperatures, and contributes to better strength retention.
- Molybdenum: Increases high-temperature strength and overall toughness.
- Марганец: Improves hardenability, enhances wear resistance, and prevents brittleness.
4. Properties of EN36B Steel
Механічныя ўласцівасці
EN36B is known for its impressive mechanical properties, making it suitable for parts that need to withstand heavy loads and wear. Some typical values for its mechanical properties include:
| Маёмасць | Каштоўнасць |
|---|---|
| Трываласць на расцяжэнне | 800 - 1000 МПА |
| Сіла выхаду | 600 - 800 МПА |
| Цяжкасць (after case-hardening) | 55 - 60 HRC |
- Трываласць на расцяжэнне refers to the maximum stress that EN36B can withstand before breaking, and in the case of EN36B, it can endure significant forces.
- Yield strength is the point at which the steel begins to deform plastically, and EN36B maintains a high yield strength, which ensures durability in heavy-duty applications.
- Цяжкасць: After case-hardening, EN36B attains a high surface hardness, essential for resisting wear and abrasion, particularly in high-friction environments.
Case-Hardened Surface vs. Ядро
The case-hardening process used for EN36B involves the carburizing of the steel, which increases the carbon content of the surface, making it harder.
The result is a hard exterior (выпадку) that can withstand harsh wear conditions, while the softer core maintains toughness and resistance to fatigue.
- Цвёрдасць паверхні: 55-60 HRC (Цвёрдасць па Роквеллу)
- Цвёрдасць ядра: Retains a softer, ductile structure with high tensile strength.
Фізічныя ўласцівасці
EN36B also boasts desirable physical properties that make it suitable for a variety of engineering applications:
| Маёмасць | Каштоўнасць |
|---|---|
| Шчыльнасць | 7.85 G/CM³ |
| Цеплаправоднасць | 43 W/m · k (пры 20°C) |
| Модуль эластычнасці | 210 Балон |
These physical properties indicate EN36B’s ability to perform effectively under both high-stress and varying temperature conditions,
making it suitable for components exposed to heat or requiring high mechanical strength.
Wear and Corrosion Resistance
EN36B’s resistance to wear is largely due to its hard surface, which is ideal for components that undergo frequent friction and wear.
While its corrosion resistance is moderate, EN36B can be coated or surface-treated to enhance its resistance in harsh chemical environments, especially in marine or corrosive conditions.
Machinability and Weldability
- Апрацоўка: EN36B is relatively machinable, but carbide-tipped tools are typically used for precision machining due to its hardness.
- Зварачнасць: EN36B poses welding challenges due to its high carbon content and alloying elements, which may lead to welding cracks.
Pre-heat and post-weld heat treatment procedures are recommended to minimize these issues.
5. Heat Treatment and Hardening of EN36B Steel
The heat treatment process is a critical step in enhancing the properties of EN36B steel.
Case-hardening is usually achieved by carburizing the steel at high temperatures, з наступнай загартоўкай і адпачынкам.
- Служэнне: Involves heating EN36B in a carbon-rich environment to increase surface carbon content.
- Тушэнне: Rapid cooling in water or oil locks the carbon into the surface, increasing hardness.
- Загармаванне: Пасля тушэння, tempering is performed to reduce brittleness and improve toughness in the core.
By carefully controlling the heat treatment process, EN36B achieves its balance of toughness and wear resistance.
6. Machining and Grinding Capabilities
EN36B can be machined using conventional methods like паварот, фрэзы, і бурэнне.
Аднак, due to its high surface hardness after case-hardening, carbide tooling is often preferred to achieve high-precision results.
Grinding can also be used to achieve smooth finishes and tight tolerances on EN36B parts.
7. Applications of EN36B Steel
EN36B’s unique combination of high strength, вынослівасць, and surface hardness makes it ideal for demanding applications:
- Аўтамабільная прамысловасць: Такія кампаненты, як перадачы, шахты, and camshafts in engines and transmissions.
- Аэракасмічная прамысловасць: High-strength structural components and landing gear, where both toughness and surface wear resistance are essential.
- Цяжкая тэхніка: Parts like crankshafts, распродаж, and gear components in machinery and subject to high-stress operations.
- Tool and Die Industry: Used in tools that require high surface hardness, Ударная ўстойлівасць, and fatigue strength.
8. Advantages and Disadvantages of EN36B Steel
Перавагі
- High Surface Hardness: Perfect for wear-resistant applications like gears and shafts.
- Цвёрдае ядро: Maintains toughness even after case-hardening, ideal for parts that need to absorb shocks.
- Устойлівасць да стомленасці: EN36B excels in applications subjected to repeated stresses.
Недахопы
- Higher Cost: EN36B is more expensive than non-alloy steels due to its alloy content and heat treatment process.
- Weldability Challenges: Requires special procedures for welding, which may increase production complexity.
- Complex Heat Treatment: Achieving optimal properties requires precise control during carburizing and quenching.
9. EN36B Steel vs. Other Case-Hardening Steels
EN36B steel is one of several popular case-hardening steels known for its excellent combination of toughness and wear resistance.
To help you understand where EN36B stands in comparison to other case-hardening steels,
let’s compare it to EN8, EN24, and 8620—all common choices for applications that require a hard surface and a tough core.
Comparison Table of Case-Hardening Steels
| Маёмасць | EN36B | EN8 | EN24 | 8620 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Склад | У (1.00–1.30%), Кр (0.80–1.10%), Мо (0.20–0.35%) | Plain carbon (C 0.35–0.45%) | У (1.30–1.70%), Кр (0.90–1.20%), Мо (0.20–0.40%) | У (0.40–0.70%), Кр (0.40–0.60%), Мо (0.15–0.25%) |
| Цвёрдасць паверхні (HRC) | 55–60 (after case-hardening) | 45–55 | 50–60 | 50–60 |
| Цвёрдасць ядра | Высокі (retains ductility) | Умераны | Высокі | Умераны да высокага |
| Трываласць на расцяжэнне | 800–1000 MPa | 550–850 Мпа | 850–1000 MPa | 700–850 Мпа |
| Best Applications | Перадачы, шахты, распродаж | Шахты, восі, stressed pins | Аэракасмічная, Кампаненты з высокім узроўнем стрэсу | Перадачы, коленфоры, Структурныя кампаненты |
| Апрацоўка | Умераны (better with carbide tools) | Добры (especially in annealed state) | Ад сярэдняга да добрага | Добры |
| Зварачнасць | Абмежаваны, requires special pre-heat | Умераны | Абмежаваны, requires special pre-heat | Добры |
У8 супраць. У36Б
- Composition and Hardness: EN36B has higher alloying elements (nickel and chromium) than EN8, making it better suited for high-stress applications where both surface hardness and toughness are required.
EN8 is a plain carbon steel, often preferred for applications requiring basic hardening but with a less stringent need for wear resistance. - Прыкладанне: EN36B is ideal for gears and camshafts, while EN8 is commonly used in shafts, stressed pins, and other moderate-load applications.
- Machinability and Weldability: EN8 is more machinable and has moderate weldability, making it easier to work with compared to EN36B, which requires specialized welding practices.
EN36B vs. EN24
- Toughness and Strength: EN24 and EN36B both provide excellent strength and toughness,
but EN24’s slightly higher nickel content makes it an excellent choice for components that endure intense mechanical stress, especially in aerospace applications. - Цвёрдасць і зносаўстойлівасць: EN24 can achieve similar surface hardness to EN36B after case-hardening, making both steels competitive in applications like high-load gears.
- Тэрмічная апрацоўка: Both steels undergo case-hardening, тушэнне, and tempering to achieve optimal properties.
EN24 can be slightly easier to machine in its annealed state, while EN36B may require carbide tools for precision.
EN36B vs. 8620
- Цвёрдасць ядра: Абое 8620 and EN36B are known for good core toughness, but EN36B typically offers a harder case and slightly better wear resistance.
- Прыкладанне: EN36B’s higher hardness and strength make it ideal for demanding applications such as high-performance gears and camshafts. 8620 is often used in gears, коленфоры,
and other structural components where moderate hardness and high toughness are adequate. - Weldability and Cost: 8620 is easier to weld and tends to be more cost-effective than EN36B,
making it popular in industries that prioritize weldability and cost-effectiveness over extreme surface hardness.
10. Tips for Choosing EN36B for Your Project
When deciding whether to use EN36B, меркаваць:
- Load and Stress: If your component will endure heavy loads and need wear resistance, EN36B’s case-hardened surface makes it ideal.
- Фактары навакольнага асяроддзя: For applications in harsh environments, additional surface treatments or coatings may be necessary.
- Размовы аб выдатках: While more expensive than non-alloy steels, EN36B’s superior properties often justify the investment for high-performance applications.
11. Conclusion
EN36B steel is a high-performance alloy that offers a perfect balance of toughness, насіць супраціў, і сіла.
Whether you’re designing parts for the automotive, аэракасмічная, or heavy machinery industries, EN36B’s unique properties make it a top choice for applications that demand reliability under high stress.
Understanding its composition, ўласцівасці, and applications can help you determine when EN36B is the right material for your project.
If you have any EN36B steel processing needs, Калі ласка, не саромейцеся Звяжыцеся з намі.
