BS EN 10083 is a European standard that specifies the technical delivery conditions for steel used for quenching and tempering. These steels are typically used in applications where high strength, wear resistance, and toughness are required. The full title of the standard is:
BS EN 10083-1: Steels for quenching and tempering – Part 1: General technical delivery conditions.
Here’s an outline of key aspects of the standard:
1. Scope
- BS EN 10083 applies to steel grades suitable for quenching and tempering to achieve the desired mechanical properties.
- The steel grades included in the standard are used in various applications, such as for the production of components that require high strength, hardness, and wear resistance.
2. Steel Grades
- Steel grades are classified according to their carbon content and alloying elements.
- The standard includes carbon steels and alloy steels, which are used for applications like gears, shafts, and machine parts that are subject to high wear and stress.
- The steels are categorized by different carbon content: low-carbon steels, medium-carbon steels, and high-carbon steels.
3. Delivery Conditions
- Steel is delivered in various conditions:
- As-rolled (not heat-treated)
- Normalized (a heat treatment process to improve the steel’s structure)
- Quenched and tempered (processed to achieve the required hardness and toughness).
4. Chemical Composition
- The chemical composition is strictly defined to ensure the steel’s properties. Typical elements include carbon, manganese, silicon, and others, depending on the specific alloying elements for the desired mechanical properties.
5. Mechanical Properties
- The standard provides detailed mechanical properties that must be met for each grade of steel. These include tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and hardness after quenching and tempering.
6. Heat Treatment Process
- The standard specifies how steel should be heat-treated for quenching and tempering to achieve the desired mechanical properties.
- Quenching involves heating the steel to a high temperature and then rapidly cooling it, usually by immersion in water or oil.
- Tempering follows quenching, where the steel is reheated to a lower temperature and then slowly cooled to reduce brittleness and increase toughness.
7. Inspection and Testing
- The standard outlines the tests that must be performed to verify the steel’s properties. These tests may include tensile tests, hardness tests, impact tests, and microstructure analysis.
- It specifies how to sample and test the material to confirm that it meets the requirements of the standard.
8. Welding and Machining
- Guidance is provided on the welding of quenched and tempered steels, as their properties can be influenced by welding.
- The standard also considers the machinability of the steels, especially for parts that require post-processing.
9. Part 2 and Part 3 of BS EN 10083
- BS EN 10083-2: Specifies the steel grades and their delivery conditions.
- BS EN 10083-3: Provides details on specific tests, including impact and tensile tests, for different applications.
10. Marking and Packaging
- The standard specifies how the steel should be marked, identifying key information such as the steel grade, heat number, and treatment conditions.
- It also covers the packaging and transport conditions to ensure that the steel is delivered in optimal condition.
Applications
The materials covered by this standard are used in a variety of industries including:
- Automotive (for gears, shafts, and other high-strength parts).
- Engineering (machine tools, structural components).
- Construction (for components exposed to mechanical wear).
This standard ensures that steels for quenching and tempering are consistent in their performance and meet the rigorous demands of industries requiring high-strength materials.
