ABSTRACT

Evaluation of Cassava Liquid Effluent as a quenching media of medium Carbon Steel has been investigated. The Medium Carbon Steel Samples were heated at 950oC and soaked for 30 minutes followed by quenching in Cassava Liquid Effluent (CLE) and SAE 40 Engine oil and water the commercial quenchants. The microstructure and the mechanical properties of the quenched samples were studied and the Cooling rate Curves were used to determine the quench severity. The results showed that CLE has the highest tensile strength (1008.14 N|mm2) followed by water (967.413N|mm2) and SAE 40 Engine oil (855.39 N|mm2). The microstructure of the sample quenched in CLE revealed high proportion of martensite with less retain of Austenite. The Cooling Curves showed that CLE has a higher cooling rate compared with SAE 40 Engine oil and water. An AISI steel of grade C1035 was used for comparison of the properties. Result indicated that CLE have excellent values in terms of Tensile Strength and yield strength when compared with standard steel products. Also samples quenched in CLE developed less hardness than samples quenched in water. CLE would be used where cooling severity less than that of water but greater than SAE 40 Engine oil was required for hardening Medium Carbon Steel.