Influence of typical elements and heat treatment parameters on hardenability in steel: a review

The hardenability of steel is crucial for its durability and performance in engineering applications, significantly influencing mechanical properties such as hardness, strength, and wear resistance. As the engineering field continuously demands higher-performance steel materials, a deep understanding of the key influencing factors on hardenability is crucial for developing quality steel that meets stringent application requirements. The effects of some specific elements, including carbon (C), vanadium (V), molybdenum (Mo), and boron (B), as well as heat treatment process parameters such as austenitizing temperature, austenitizing holding time, and cooling rate, were examined. It aims to elucidate the interactions among these factors and their influence on steel hardenability. For each influencing factor, the heat treatment procedure, characteristic microstructure resulting from it, and corresponding Jominy end quench curves were discussed. Furthermore, based on the continuous development of big data technology in the field of materials, the use of machine learning to predict the hardenability of steel and guide the design of steel material was also introduced.