Rapid local annealing of high strength steel
US10385416B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 21, 2017 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2019 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC21D2211/008
- WIPO fieldMaterials, metallurgy
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Systems and methods for locally softening high strength steel are disclosed. One method may include heat treating one or more local regions of a steel component having a hardness of at least 450 HV to soften the local region(s) to a hardness of at most 250 HV. The heat treating may include heating only the local region(s) to a target temperature above an AC1 temperature of the component and below an AC3 temperature of the component. In another method, the heat treating may include heating only the local region(s) to a first target temperature above an AC3 temperature of the component, cooling the local region(s) to below an AC1 temperature of the component, and isothermally holding the local region(s) at a second target temperature below the AC1 temperature. The locally softened region(s) may allow for improved joining and/or trimming of the component.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.