Austempering: Process, Applications, and Equipment

Austempering is an alternative hardening process that has been operating under the radar of manufacturers and designers for decades, primarily because its application is directed to fasteners having a cross-section of 12.7 mm or less. The primary goal of austempering is to create an extremely tough microstructure throughout the part’s mass or cross-section, a typical requirement for fasteners. This paper provides an overview of austempering processes and applications.