Track Link Production via Quenching and Low-Temperature Tempering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing track links are costly and time-consuming due to separate tempering steps, and they fail to achieve a combination of high hardness, tensile strength, and toughness simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method involving hot forging, quenching at 880±10° C, followed by low-temperature tempering at 200±50° C, and finish machining, using a steel composition with specific alloying elements to achieve high surface and core hardness, tensile strength, and toughness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate partial tempering steps are applied to track link parts requiring high dimensional accuracy or susceptible to delayed failure, then the reliability and dimensional stability are improved, but the manufacturing cost and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple tempering requirements into a single uniform tempering process applied to the entire track link. Instead of performing separate partial tempering operations on different parts at different times, the invention applies one comprehensive tempering treatment that simultaneously addresses dimensional accuracy requirements and resistance to delayed failure for all critical areas of the track link, thereby reducing production time and process complexity
2Strength
If multiple separate heat treatment and machining steps are performed, then the mechanical properties (hardness, tensile strength, toughness) are improved, but the manufacturing cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple heat treatment operations (quenching and tempering) and machining operations into a more integrated process sequence. The uniform tempering process is applied to the entire track link after a single quenching operation, eliminating the need for multiple separate heat treatment cycles and intermediate machining steps, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and energy consumption while maintaining the required combination of mechanical properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifies precise parameter ranges for the heat treatment process, including quenching from austenite formation temperature and tempering within 150-250°C, to achieve the desired mechanical properties in a single process cycle. By optimizing these parameters, the invention attains the required hardness, tensile strength, and toughness without requiring additional corrective heat treatment steps
3Strength
If conventional heat treatment processes are used, then the production process is simple, but the combination of high hardness, tensile strength and toughness cannot be achieved simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves high hardness, tensile strength, and toughness by precisely controlling heat treatment parameters: quenching from austenite formation temperature and tempering within the specific range of 150-250°C. This parameter optimization allows conventional equipment to produce superior mechanical properties without adding process complexity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method results in track links with surface hardness >44 HRC, core hardness >44 HRC, tensile strength >1.500 MPa, and toughness of at least 20 J at −45° C, providing excellent wear resistance and resistance to deformation and cracking, leading to a long service life while being cost-efficient.
Implementation Method 1
heating the steel blank to a temperature sufficient to form austenite throughout the steel blank; quenching the steel blank to a temperature T1 in one step from the austenite formation temperature so that a metallic crystal structure of the steel blank is converted to martensite
Implementation Method 2
the temperature of about 1200° C. affects the mechanical properties of the link material inasmuch as the link material is thereby softened, the hot-trimming is easily performed
Implementation Method 3
quench-hardening said link material by rapidly cooling said link material from a temperature above about 760° C.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure refers to a method for manufacturing a track link for a running gear of a tracked vehicle, comprising the following method steps: P1) providing a forging blank of steel, P2) hot forging the forging blank to produce a track link blank and hot trimming of the track link blank to form at least a wheel tread part of the track link blank, P3) quenching the track link blank to a temperature T1, P4) low temperature tempering the track link blank at a temperature of 200±50° C., and P5) finish machining the tempered track link blank to produce the final shape of the track link.