technique that ensures the material is highly wear-resistant
salt bath hardening
what is salt bath hardening?
Salt bath hardening can offer advantages over alternative hardening and tempering methods. Molten salt is often considered the “ideal” heat treatment medium. When parts are immersed in the molten salt, heat is transferred to the surface through direct contact.
salt bath hardening process
Salt bath hardening is a process that ensures high wear resistance of the treated material. The component is first brought to the desired austenitizing temperature in a molten salt bath. The temperature is applied evenly and the respective dwell time at hardening temperature is relatively short. This is followed by quenching in various media (salt, water, oil).
benefits of salt bath hardening
As the parts are immersed in the salt bath, no air can come into contact with the workpiece. Scaling, oxidation and decarburization or carburization are avoided. Heat is transferred to the workpieces and components very quickly, significantly faster than with radiation or convection processes.
The uniform heat transfer also means that components with complex geometries and different cross-sections can be heat-treated and quenched with minimal distortion.
- Economical for small series or individual components
- Different holding times can be carried out simultaneously
- Simple partial hardening possible
suitable materials for salt bath hardening
Salt bath hardening can be used for all metallic ferrous materials.
application of salt bath hardening in various industries
Salt bath hardening is ideal for tool steels. Gear wheels, shafts, machine parts and tools are often hardened in a salt bath. Both partial hardening and individual hardening of materials can be carried out easily with salt bath hardening.
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frequently asked questions – salt bath hardening
What is salt bath hardening?
A heat treatment in which molten salts are used for heating, the actual process and the quenching process. The molten salt must be selected depending on the temperature range.
Which materials are suitable for salt bath hardening?
All metallic ferrous materials.
How does the salt bath hardening process work?
Similar to hardening in atmospheric systems. Only here, instead of gas for heating and a neutral gas atmosphere adapted to the material, molten metal is used.
How long does the salt bath hardening process take?
From a few minutes to several hours.
What pre- and post-treatments are required for salt bath hardening?
The components must be absolutely dry before the salt bath treatment. This is ensured by heating the components to a temperature of approx. 350°C in a preheating oven to eliminate any moisture. After salt bath hardening, the residues of the molten salt must be removed, sometimes at great expense, in aqueous cleaning systems.
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