Influence of Heat and Mechanical Treatments on the Mechanical and Structural Characteristics of Molded Manganese Steels

Omar Ben Lenda; Hajar El Ganich; Sara  Benmaziane; Elmadani Saad

doi:10.5614/j.eng.technol.sci.2026.58.3.1

Authors

Omar Ben Lenda
benlenda@enim.ac.ma
The National Higher School of Mining of Rabat (ENSMR), Materials, Mining and Environment: Materials Science and Engineering, BP: 753, Agdal-Rabat, , Morocco
Hajar El Ganich Hassan First University of Settat, High Institute of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Sciences and Engineering of Biomedicals, Biophysics and Health, B.P: 555, 26000 Settat, Morocco https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3303-607X
Sara Benmaziane Laboratory of Physical-Chemistry of Processes and Materials, Faculty of Sciences and Technology Settat, Hassan 1st University, BP: 577, 26000 Settat, Morocco
Elmadani Saad Hassan First University of Settat, High Institute of Health Sciences, Laboratory of Sciences and Engineering of Biomedicals, Biophysics and Health, B.P: 555, 26000 Settat, , Morocco

Vol. 58 No. 3 (2026): Vol. 58 No. 3(2026): June

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Accepted November 27, 2025

Published February 20, 2026

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This paper presents a study to improve the performance of Fe-Mn-C cast steels containing 1.7% and 2.7% Cr by weight, using two treatment methods (thermal and mechanical) applied separately to two different steel grades. This approach enables an extended service life for components such as crusher liners, mill hammers, and level crossings, without requiring complete recasting. The experimental techniques used for characterization included spark optical emission spectroscopy, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, as well as micro- and macro-hardness testing. Steel 1, with a composition of 15.51% Mn, 2.68% Cr, and 1.29% C, was heat-treated at 1070 °C and quenched in water, using different holding times and thicknesses. It was found that increasing the holding time from 30 to 50 minutes and reducing the thickness from 150 to 100 millimeters led to a complete and homogeneous dissolution of carbides. As a result, Steel 1 exhibited increased ductility. Steel 2 contains 13.45% Mn, 1.72% Cr, and 1.21% C. It underwent manual mechanical treatment, which resulted in surface hardening due to the transformation of austenite into martensite.

Ben Lenda, O., El Ganich, H., Benmaziane, S. ., & Saad, E. (2026). Influence of Heat and Mechanical Treatments on the Mechanical and Structural Characteristics of Molded Manganese Steels. Journal of Engineering and Technological Sciences, 58(3), 299–309. https://doi.org/10.5614/j.eng.technol.sci.2026.58.3.1

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