Abstract
This paper examines the critical role of material selection in the performance of induction-hardened components such as shafts, axles, pins, and gears. The author discusses how material choices impact raw material costs and manufacturing processes, including machining, grinding, and drilling. The paper explores how carbon content fundamentally determines the maximum obtainable hardness in steels, with a detailed analysis of commonly used grades such as 1045, 1050, 1144, and various alloy steels. Key considerations for engineers include applied load characteristics, desired mechanical properties (fatigue strength, wear resistance), and the tradeoffs between carbon content, hardenability, machinability, and susceptibility to quench cracking. The paper provides practical guidance on steel selection based on required hardness profiles, with insights into how alloying elements and prior microstructure affect case depth and hardness distributions in induction-hardened components.
