Surface hardening is a process used to improve the durability and wear resistance of certain metal parts.
This technique is particularly important for components that experience high levels of stress and friction.
Let's explore the products that undergo surface hardening and the methods used to achieve it.
What products are surface hardened? 5 key methods explained
1. Gears, Ball and Roller Bearings, and Piston Pins: Carburizing
Carburizing is a process used to surface harden low-carbon steel alloys.
During carburizing, carbon is diffused into the surface of the parts at elevated temperatures.
The parts are then quenched in oil to create a hard surface for wear resistance and a soft core for ductility.
This process is commonly used for products such as gears, ball and roller bearings, and piston pins.
2. Cam Shafts, Fuel Injection Pumps, and Valve Stems: Nitriding
Nitriding is another method of surface hardening that involves introducing nascent nitrogen into the surface of specific ferrous alloys.
The alloys are held at relatively low temperatures for an extended period of time.
Nitriding does not require quenching and produces a hard wear-resistant case.
Products such as cam shafts, fuel injection pumps, and valve stems are typically hardened using nitriding.
3. Specific Areas of a Part: Localized Hardening Techniques
Localized hardening techniques, such as flame or induction hardening, can be used to harden specific areas of a part while leaving the rest unchanged.
Induction hardening, in particular, is commonly used for steel and cast iron parts.
It involves using high-frequency alternating current to rapidly heat the material, followed by quenching.
This process significantly increases the surface hardness and brittleness of the part.
4. Steel, Titanium, Inconel, and Copper Alloys: Heat Treating
Heat treating is another method that can improve wear resistance and durability by hardening the material.
It can be used to harden metals such as steel, titanium, inconel, and some copper alloys.
Heat treating can either be done on the surface (case hardening) or all the way through (through hardening) the material.
This process makes the material stronger, tougher, and more resistant to wear.
It is commonly used to increase the durability of inexpensive steels like A-36 or 1018.
5. Overall Products and Processes
Overall, the products that are surface hardened include gears, ball and roller bearings, piston pins, cam shafts, fuel injection pumps, valve stems, and certain metal parts.
These products undergo surface hardening processes such as carburizing, nitriding, localized hardening (flame or induction hardening), and heat treating.
Continue exploring, consult our experts
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