Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

The Isothermal Transformation Curve For S.A.E. 6150, Charles Arentzen

Bachelors Theses and Reports, 1928 - 1970

More than 3000 years ago, men began quenching and tem­pering tools to improve their physical properties. The an­cient people found that iron was easier to shape and form in a heated condition. Charcoal was used as the fuel, and when the shaping process was completed, the smiths cooled the piece in the most obvious way, quenching in water. Quite un­intentionally, these people stumbled on the process for im­proving the properties of iron, and the art of blacksmithing began.