Microstrucural Investigation and Network Analysis for Austempering Process Using a Blend of Palm Kernel Oil and Bitumen on High Carbon Steel and Ductile Iron

O. C. Okwonna¹, B. N. Nwankwojike¹, F. I. Abam¹ and C. I. Nwoye^2,

¹Department of Mechanical Engineering, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Nigeria

²Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

Cite this paper:
O. C. Okwonna, B. N. Nwankwojike, F. I. Abam and C. I. Nwoye. Microstrucural Investigation and Network Analysis for Austempering Process Using a Blend of Palm Kernel Oil and Bitumen on High Carbon Steel and Ductile Iron. Materials Science and Metallurgy Engineering. 2017; 4(1):29-33. doi: 10.12691/msme-4-1-3

Abstract

Austempering is a multifarious process that starts with austenitizing, followed by rapid cooling and holding so as to prevent formation of pearlite at a temperature above that at which martensite formation starts, until the desired microstructure is formed. To evaluate the cost and time management of using a blend of palm kernel seed oil and bitumen for austempering process in local heat treatment industries, CPM and PERT are used for analyzing the project through project network analysis. The research created a model for determining the order in which activities should be carried out. This gave the optimal time for the duration of the project as 16 days. It is therefore recommended that a blend of palm kernel seed oil and bitumen be used for austempering process in local heat treatment industries, since it is cost and time effective in comparison to salt and molten bath.

Keywords:
austempering palm kernel seed oil bitumen microstructure hardness CPM and PERT

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