Abstract
The process of quenching a long gear of carbon steel was analyzed by considering the coupling effect among temperature, stress and metallic structure. Emphasis was focused on the finite element scheme of so-called generalized plane strain condition; in-plane element divisions were made in the one-half of a tooth, and the axial strain of one layer of the elements in the plane was kept constant.
The analytical results were verified by comparing them with the measured cooling rate, residual stress and deformation and Vicker's hardness obtained as the function of induced structure. Discussions were also made on the dependences of these quantities on cooling rate in order to achieve the optimum quenching condition.
