Steel Metallurgy

Getting the strength and hardness you need in your steel requires knowledge of the effects of alloy composition and heat treating on steel properties.  With knowledge of steel metallurgy you’ll be better able to

• Select the most appropriate alloy and heat treating process for your application
• Evaluate suppliers
• Develop manufacturing processes
• Solve quality problems

A good understanding of what can be done to modify the properties of steel is critical for being more productive and profitable.

What you'll learn about steel metallurgy

The following aspects of steel metallurgy are taught in this course:

• Steel types & designations used for the different categories of steel alloys.
• Metallurgical phases and microstructures found in steels and their effects on steel strength and hardness.
• How to use the iron-carbon phase diagram to predict the phases present in a steel alloy based on composition and temperature.
• Microstructure changes that occur in steel during heating and cooling and the resulting effects on strength and hardness
• Effects of cooling rate on the microstructure that forms when steel is quenched during through hardening heat treatment.

Course content

The course takes about 3 hours to complete and consists of 6 modules and a final exam.  Each module is 20-30 minutes long.  Also, quizzes and problems give you opportunities to apply the concepts taught.  The module titles are:

• Module 1: Introduction
• Module 2: Steel phases
• Module 3: Iron-carbon phase diagram
• Module 4: Phase transformations part 1
• Module 5: Phase transformations part 2
• Module 6: Course review

Click here to see the slides from Module 1

Prerequisites

You should take Principles of Metallurgy prior to taking this course or be familiar with the concepts taught in that course.

Registering for courses

Add the course(s) to your cart and pay. You will receive an email with instructions on how to access the course(s).

If you are purchasing courses for someone else, register for the system using their name and email address at the start of the check-out process.

We offer group discounts and discounted all-access passes.

Course certificate

Upon successful completion of the course you will receive a certificate for 3 credit hours (0.3 CEU's).