Research
Transient Field Processing
Magnetic Processing of Steel Strip and Next Generation Alloys
Background
For decades, commercial steel and heat-treating operations have been plagued with costly conventional processing steps (e.g., cryogenic treatments, long double-temper cycles) needed to reduce the amount of retained austenite developed during standard steel processing. However, without these additional process steps, component life and product performance would be severely compromised and result in premature failures. Research at ORNL has demonstrated that high magnet field processing (HMFP) reduces residual stresses and destabilizes and reduces retained austenite, eliminating these energy intensive and costly specialized industrial thermal processing steps.Goal
In this project, magnetic processing equipment and parameters for the HMFP technology will be developed to demonstrate the response and performance in a continuous processing line for the fabrication of razor blades. The new system will be developed and demonstrated for testing and use on a production floor. This effort will lead to facilitation and commercial implementation of this ThermoMagnetic Processing (TMP) Technology.
Contact
Gail Mackiewicz Ludtka
ludtkagm@ornl.gov
(865) 576-4652