Valve Stem

from $59.95

This micrograph shows the cold end of a valve stem. The steel is a heat treated low to medium carbon steel. The alloy is simple, but the heat treatment produces a fine mixture of carbon distributed uniformly in the iron creating what metallurgists call martensite. The carbon atoms are held in place by quenching which takes away their thermal motion. Martensite is very hard and has good ductility which holds up well to the millions of cycles of the valve stem which is otherwise unsupported.

Dustin Nolen                            MAG. 500x

Material:
Frame (If Acrylic, Choose None):
Mat/Mounting (If Acrylic or No frame choose None):

This micrograph shows the cold end of a valve stem. The steel is a heat treated low to medium carbon steel. The alloy is simple, but the heat treatment produces a fine mixture of carbon distributed uniformly in the iron creating what metallurgists call martensite. The carbon atoms are held in place by quenching which takes away their thermal motion. Martensite is very hard and has good ductility which holds up well to the millions of cycles of the valve stem which is otherwise unsupported.

Dustin Nolen                            MAG. 500x