Lolla pointed out that this unique microstructure boosts ductility -- meaning that the steel can crumple a great deal before breaking – making it a potential impact-absorber for automotive applications.
Seems contradictory to me. Harder steel always tends to shatter more easily.
Maybe that's why the excitement. Perhaps it challenges the rule. I know only a glancing bit about induction heating in mettalurgy due to my father-in-law, a self-taught, experienced but very savvy technician in the business. Worked for Taylor Winfield for years. Kind of guy like this Cola, probably. While steel may be a mature industry there seems always to be something of an art to the processing.
“Huh? I’ve been flash hardening tools for years. Heat them till they are orange and dunk ‘em in oil.”
Me too. I made all my chisels, punches and knives.
“Seems contradictory to me. Harder steel always tends to shatter more easily.”
The article said “stronger” not “harder”. They’re two different quantities.
Oil quenching cools the steel relatively slowly. If you want it really hard, use soapy water and swish it around so it can't form an insulating steam jacket while it's quenching.
Probably why it's considered breakthrough metallurgy