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Case Hardening

what is case hardening?
the process
in short
fields of application
groundbreaking industries
locations & contact

what is case hardening?

Case hardening is a thermo-chemical process. Within the framework of this process, the surface layer of components is enriched with carbon (carburization), in order to improve the mechanical properties of the component surface layer. 

the process

As a rule, case hardening comprises three working steps. In the first step, the workpieces are exposed to a carbon rich environment at a temperature of 800 to 1,050 °C. In the second step, the quenching takes place either directly from the application temperature or after intermediate cooling and reheating to a material-specific hardening temperature. The third step, the tempering treatment serves essentially to relieve the highest stresses in the material structure and to reduce sensitivity to grinding cracks.

in short

workpiece before

Case hardening steel (C ≤ 0.25 %)

  • easy to machine
  • easy to weld
  • outstanding toughness

workpiece after

Core zone (C ≤ 0.25 %)

  • tough and ductile
  • enhanced service properties
  • (toughness and, if applicable, strength)

 

Surface layer (C = 0.70…0.90 %)

  • hard and wear resistant
  • improved fatigue strength under
  • vibration stress

fields of application

Case Hardening results in a very hard case of the component: specifically, this is useful in the case hardening of gears and similar components which are subject to a great deal of wear in hostile environments. This heat treatment process is especially useful if there is a requirement for a hard, wear resistant surface, overlying a much softer and tougher core. A good example for its application is a gear wheel. The surface of the teeth needs to be extremely hard so that they can withstand constant metal-to-metal contact, without undue wear. The underlying material needs to be tough so that the teeth can tolerate occasional impact loads, without the risk of fracture. 

Case hardening, properly known as carbon case hardening, is used to give a hard, wear and indentation resisting surface to mild and low alloy steels, up to depths of 4-5 mm. Being one of the most common heat treatment processes used in the world, case hardening is commonly applied to gears, machinery, automotive and aerospace applications and many others. 

Steels suitable for case hardening are unalloyed or alloyed steels with a carbon content below approx. 0.25%.

Partial case hardening is possible, thanks to suitable insulation techniques.

groundbreaking industries we serve

aerospace
aalberts surface technologies automotive
automotive
aalberts surface technologies chemical
chemical
engineering industry
oil and gas industy
oil & gas

process locations

Any questions? Contact us directly or select a process location near you.

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Värnamo
Sweden
57.176705814.0107878 info.nordic@aalberts-st.com +46 370 69 09 90 show location
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the Netherlands
51.44642316.1786697 info.venlo@aalberts-st.com +31 77 308 1333 show location
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France
47.38966236.7607384 info.vermondans@aalberts-st.com +33 381 9645 85 show location
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Germany
52.085558.42509 info.werther@aalberts-st.com +49 5203 97405 show location
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Remscheid
Germany
51.22193897.2353813 info.remscheid@aalberts-st.com +49 2191 56200 show location
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France
47.7059027-1.3208699 info.soudan@aalberts-st.com +33 228040600 show location
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Germany
49.01621959.7588191 info.gaildorf@aalberts-st.com +49 7971 96980 show location
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Germany
48.500157.82006 info.kehl@aalberts-st.com +49 7854 96470 show location
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Germany
50.17505668.5468258 info.kronberg@aalberts-st.com +49 6173 96740 show location
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Germany
48.229769.83458 info.laupheim@aalberts-st.com +49 7392 70960 show location
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France
47.41544421.0245775 info.amboise@aalberts-st.com +33 247 2374 74 show location
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Germany
48.2249668.5003521 info.dunningen@aalberts-st.com +49 7403 92907-0 show location
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Poland
50.732931316.6280222 info.dzierzoniow@aalberts-st.com +48 515 739 056 show location
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