Search Results for case hardening

Case hardening involves various methods and each method has unique characteristics and different considerations in the selection of steels This article reviews the various grades of carburizing steels, carbonitriding steels, nitriding steels, and steels for induction, or flame hardening. This review is based on their process characteristics, compositions, applications, and mechanical properties, which help in selecting steels for case hardening.

This article discusses the metallography and microstructures of carburized, carbonitrided, and nitrided steels, with illustrations. It provides information on the widely used metallographic techniques including sectioning, mounting, grinding and polishing, and etching.

Case hardening is defined as a process by which a ferrous material is hardened in such a manner that the surface layer, known as the case, becomes substantially harder than the remaining material, known as the core. This article discusses the equipment required, process variables, carbon and hardness gradients, and process procedures of different types of case hardening methods: carburizing (gas, pack, liquid, vacuum, and plasma), nitriding (gas, liquid, plasma), carbonitriding, cyaniding and ferritic nitrocarburizing. An accurate and repeatable method of measuring case depth is essential for quality control of the case hardening process and for evaluation of workpieces for conformance with specifications. The article also discusses various case depth measurement methods, including chemical, mechanical, visual, and nondestructive methods.

This article describes the common types of automotive and truck axle shafts. It provides information on steels used for induction-hardened shafts, and on the manufacturing and induction hardening methods of axle shafts. The article discusses the effects of case depth, shaft length, and carbon content on torsional properties of axle shafts, and the effect of changes in shaft diameter and those of splines on torsional shaft performance. It also provides useful information on straightening and tempering of induction-hardened axle shafts, and describes an effective technique to ensure quality of induction-hardened axle shafts.