Improved methods for quenching a metal tube are disclosed. A method of manufacturing a metal tube generally comprises solution heat treating a metal tube at an elevated temperature, rapidly cooling the metal tube from the elevated temperature, raising the open end of the metal tube to an elevated position, and lowering the open end of the metal tube to a downward facing position, wherein the metal tube comprises an open end and an opposing closed end, wherein the immersing step comprises at least partially filling the metal tube with the cooling liquid, and developing an evolved gas inside the metal tube, wherein the raising comprises releasing at least some of the evolved gas from the metal tube via the open end, and wherein the lowering comprises draining cooling liquid from the metal tube via the open end.

Improved methods for quenching a metal tube are disclosed. A method of manufacturing a metal tube generally comprises solution heat treating a metal tube at an elevated temperature, rapidly cooling the metal tube from the elevated temperature, raising the open end of the metal tube to an elevated position, and lowering the open end of the metal tube to a downward facing position, wherein the metal tube comprises an open end and an opposing closed end, wherein the immersing step comprises at least partially filling the metal tube with the cooling liquid, and developing an evolved gas inside the metal tube, wherein the raising comprises releasing at least some of the evolved gas from the metal tube via the open end, and wherein the lowering comprises draining cooling liquid from the metal tube via the open end.

A method of recovery heat treatment of a workpiece includes contacting at least a portion of the workpiece with a fluid heated to a temperature sufficient to heat the at least a portion of the workpiece to a predetermined temperature range in a predetermined time period. The method may be implemented as a first step of a two-stage recovery heat treatment or annealing process, followed by a second step of heating the at least a portion of the workpiece to a final target temperature by another annealing process.

A method of recovery heat treatment of a workpiece includes contacting at least a portion of the workpiece with a fluid heated to a temperature sufficient to heat the at least a portion of the workpiece to a predetermined temperature range in a predetermined time period. The method may be implemented as a first step of a two-stage recovery heat treatment or annealing process, followed by a second step of heating the at least a portion of the workpiece to a final target temperature by another annealing process.

A core portion of the carbonitrided bearing component includes a chemical composition consisting of, in mass %, C: 0.15 to 0.45%, Si: 0.50% or less, Mn: 0.20 to 0.60%, P: 0.015% or less, S: 0.005% or less, Cr 0.80 to 1.50%, Mo: 0.17 to 0.30%, V: 0.24 to 0.40%, Al: 0.005 to 0.100%, N: 0.0300% or less, O: 0.0015% or less, and the balance being Fe and impurities, and satisfying Formula (1) to Formula (4) described in the embodiment of the present specification. A concentration of C of its surface is, in mass %, 0.70 to 1.20%, a concentration of N of the surface is, in mass %, 0.15 to 0.60%, a Rockwell C-scale hardness HRC of the surface is 58 to 65, and in the core portion, an area ratio of an area of coarse V-based precipitates to a total area of V-based precipitates is 15.0% or less.

A method of quenching a press hardenable steel is provided. The method includes an initial step of die quenching a part stamped within a stamping die followed by a partial quenching after the initial step of die quenching. In various methods, the press hardenable steel is a 36MnB5 grade steel and/or the initial step of die quenching is performed at a temperature of approximately 200° C.±10° C. in a die configured for 36MnB5 grade steel. At least one method further includes opening the die followed by the partial quenching, the partial quenching comprising spraying a cooling liquid onto the part to reduce a temperature of the part below approximately 130° C.±10° C., with the option of spraying to reduce the temperature of the part below approximately 100° C.±10° C.

A method of quenching a press hardenable steel is provided. The method includes an initial step of die quenching a part stamped within a stamping die followed by a partial quenching after the initial step of die quenching. In various methods, the press hardenable steel is a 36MnB5 grade steel and/or the initial step of die quenching is performed at a temperature of approximately 200° C.±10° C. in a die configured for 36MnB5 grade steel. At least one method further includes opening the die followed by the partial quenching, the partial quenching comprising spraying a cooling liquid onto the part to reduce a temperature of the part below approximately 130° C.±10° C., with the option of spraying to reduce the temperature of the part below approximately 100° C.±10° C.

The invention relates to the technical field of microstructure refinement and homogenization of bearing steel, and specifically relates to a high-carbon bearing steel and a method of preparing same. The high-carbon bearing steel of the invention has the following chemical composition: C: 0.80˜1.20 wt %, Cr: 0.40˜2.0 wt %, Mn: 0.15˜0.75 wt %, Si: 0.15˜0.75 wt %, Nb: 0˜0.20 wt %, Mo: 0˜0.20 wt %, V: 0˜0.20 wt %, P≤0.015 wt %, S≤0.01 wt %, the remaining is Fe and unavoidable impurities; the contents of Nb, Mo and V are not 0 at the same time. According to the invention, microalloying elements such as Nb, Mo and V, in combination with other elements, are added into the high-carbon bearing steel to effectively refine the bearing steel matrix and promote the precipitation of a large amount of nano-carbides, thereby enhancing the contact fatigue life of the high-carbon bearing steel.

Methods for forming carbon-based lubricious and/or wear-protective films in situ on the surface of steel alloys are provided. The methods use chromium-containing steel alloys, molybdenum-containing steel alloys, and steel alloys that contain both copper and nickel. When such alloys are subjected to a rubbing motion in the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid, the chromium, molybdenum, copper, and nickel in the steel alloy catalyzes the formation of solid carbon-containing films that reduce the friction, wear, or both of the contacting surfaces.

Methods for forming carbon-based lubricious and/or wear-protective films in situ on the surface of steel alloys are provided. The methods use chromium-containing steel alloys, molybdenum-containing steel alloys, and steel alloys that contain both copper and nickel. When such alloys are subjected to a rubbing motion in the presence of a hydrocarbon fluid, the chromium, molybdenum, copper, and nickel in the steel alloy catalyzes the formation of solid carbon-containing films that reduce the friction, wear, or both of the contacting surfaces.