The surface and subsurface conditions of components are significant for their functional properties. Every manufacturing process step changes the surface condition due to its mechanical, chemical and/or thermal impact. The depth of the affected zone varies for different machining operations, and is predetermined by the process parameters and characteristics. Furthermore, the initial state has a decisive influence on the interactions that lead to the final surface conditions. The aim of the investigation presented here is to compare the influence of the load characteristics over the depth applied to manufactured components by several different machining operations and to determine the causing mechanisms. In order to ensure better comparability between the surface modifications caused by different machining operations, the same material was used (AISI 4140; German steel grade 42CrMo4 acc. to DIN EN 10083-3) and annealed to a ferritic-pearlitic microstructure. Based on interdisciplinary cooperation within the collaborative research center CRC/Transregio 136 “Process Signatures”, seven different manufacturing processes, i.e., grinding, turning, deep rolling, laser processing, inductive heat treatment, electrical discharge machining (EDM) and electrochemical machining (ECM), were used, and the resulting surface zones were investigated by highly specialized analysis techniques. This work presents the results of X-ray measurements, hardness measurements and electron microscopic investigations. As a result, the characteristics and depths of the material modifications, as well as their underlying mechanisms and causes, were studied. Mechanisms occurring within 42CrMo4 steel due to thermal, mechanical, chemical or mixed impacts were identified as phase transformation, solidification and strengthening due to dislocation generation and accumulation, continuum dynamic recrystallization and dynamic recovery, as well as chemical reactions.

The surface and subsurface conditions of components are critical for their functional properties. Every manufacturing process modifies the surface condition as a consequence of its mechanical, chemical, and thermal impact or combinations of the three. The depth of the affected zone varies for different machining operations and is related to the process parameters and characteristics. Furthermore, the initial material state has a decisive influence on the modifications that lead to the final surface conditions. With this knowledge, the collaborative research center CRC/Transregio 136 “Process Signatures” started a first joint investigation to analyze the influence of several machining operations on the surface modifications of uniformly premanufactured samples in a broad study. The present paper focusses on four defined process chains which were analyzed in detail regarding the resulting surface conditions as a function of the initial state. Two different workpiece geometries of the same initial material (AISI 4140, 42CrMo4 (1.7225) classified according to DIN EN ISO 683-2) were treated in two different heat treating lines. Samples annealed to a ferritic-perlitic microstructure were additionally deep rolled as starting condition. Quenched and tempered samples were induction hardened before further process application. These two states were then submitted to six different manufacturing processes, i.e., grinding (with mainly mechanical or thermal impact), precision turning (mainly mechanical), laser processing (mainly thermal), electrical discharge machining (EDM, mainly thermal) and electrochemical machining (ECM, (mainly chemical impact). The resulting surface conditions were investigated after each step of the manufacturing chain by specialized analysis techniques regarding residual stresses, microstructure, and hardness distribution. Based on the process knowledge and on the systematic characterizations, the characteristics and depths of the material modifications, as well as their underlying mechanisms and causes, were investigated. Mechanisms occurring within AISI 4140 steel (42CrMo4) due to thermal, mechanical or mixed impacts were identified as work hardening, stress relief, recrystallization, re-hardening and melting, grain growth, and rearrangement of dislocations.

To generate advanced properties for the wear resistance and fatigue life of components and allow for an improved, application-oriented development of part specifications, a precisely tailored initial machining or manufacturing process is necessary. In addition, it is important to know how subsequent machining steps or operational loads affect the components’ condition. Residual stresses are a meaningful measurand for evaluating the modifications that a machining process induces into the material. The desired modifications should be specified regarding the final state for the required operational behavior. Thus, the stability of the modifications can be considered so that they can be beneficial in service. This investigation is part of fundamental research in the field of the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) “Process Signatures”. By applying defined selected loads, the effects on machined surface layers are investigated since machined components are exposed to further loads during use. For this reason, experimental process chains are applied in this work to grind-strengthened specimens as possible application cases and corresponding loads. These experimental process chains consist of defined mechanical and thermal loads, which are applied to the specimens using a thermal and mechanical testing system. Furthermore, it is investigated how these additional loads affect the modifications previously introduced by the grinding process. The influence of the additional loads is evaluated by using radiographic and electron microscopic examinations. It can be observed that the sequence, as well as the type of the applied loads, play a significant role in the development of the modifications.