Induction hardening is a type of heat treatment that is employed to harden a specific metal part through a localized heating process in which certain surfaces of the metal part are heated while the other portions remain cold. The process of localized heating uses a supply of solid state electric power that dispenses an electrical current via an inductor coil wrapped around the surfaces to be heated.
The process of induction heating for hardening purposes is very fast. It can take seconds or minutes, while on the other hand, using a furnace can take hours or days.
Selective Induction Hardening
An electromagnetic field is generated by the induction coil that heats selective surfaces of metal parts within the coil. The parts placed inside of an inductor coil enter into magnetic field that produces any currents from the field created within the parts surface – this produces induction heating. The metal possesses electrical resistance is focused electrical currents flow through it and produce focused inaccurate heat on the surface of the workpiece.
After the noncontact heating process utilizing electromagnetic induction to create heat close to the surface is finished, the component may then be quenched in polymer or water. The process of heating transforms the heated steel to austentite with another transformation into martensite during quenching process in order to modify the crystalline properties of the outer layer, making it stronger, harder, and more resistant to wear than the untreated, more ductile, softer metal core. The entire process enables the selective hardening of selected areas of the part without affecting other larger areas of the same part
Induction Hardening Applications
This process of hardening and heat treating is perfect for various types of applications in the aerospace, transportation, and energy industry sectors. It is used for processes involving case hardening and through hardening. The various applications that can benefit from this hardening heat treatment process include:
- Powdered metal components
- Surface hardening of steel or steel alloys
- Edge hardening of complex parts
- Wheel hubs
- Sprockets
- Gears
- Pins
- Springs
- Transmission components
- Axle shafts
- Drive shafts
- Steering components
- Power tools
If you are searching for supplier of quality induction hardening services, contact a premier steel and metal heat treating company today.
