Exploring the Potentials of Using Palm Kernel Oil Esters (Palm Kernel Oil+Bitumen) For Austempering Process of Medium Carbon and High Carbon Steel

Exploring the potentials of using palm kernel oil esters as quenching media on medium and high carbon steel was investigated for a more efficient production of engineering and industrial materials that requires steel as its major raw material since steel and steel industry is one of the catalysts for a number of industries such as the automobile, shipbuilding, containers, railroads, constructions and a lot of domestic appliances which will complement each other in economic growth. The samples were austenitized at various temperatures (850⁰C to 950⁰C). Tensile strength, impact strength and hardness test were used to measure the quenching strength of the media. The microstructures and mechanical properties were used to determine the severity of the palm kernel ester. From the results obtained, it shows that the hardness values for both 0.56%C and 0.76%C-Steel were higher (502 and 513 HV) than the as received values (321 and 406 HV) which shows better improvement as a result of formation of bainite structure and diffusion of carbon precipitates in the steel samples. The research carried out showed that palm kernel oil+bitumen can be used as quenching media in austempering process.