What is the induction hardening process

What is induction hardening process?

 Induction hardening equipment is generally an inductin hardening machine tools,which consistes of induction power supply, output cable,output transformer,inductot and CNC control hardening tool.

A method of heating the workpiece by using electromagnetic induction to generate eddy currents in the workpiece.Induction hardening (hot quenching or inductive hardening)uses electromagnetic indcution to generte eddy currents in the workpiece to heat the workpiece.

The advantage of induction hardening

1:The heat soruce is on the surface of the workpeice,with fast heating speed and high themal efficiency

2: Becayse the workpieces is not heated as a whole,the deformation is small

3: The heating time of the workpiece is short and the amount of surface oxidation and decarburiztion is small.

4. The surface hardenss of the workpeice is high,the notch sensitivity is small,and the impact toughness,fatigue strength and wear resistance are grealy imoroved.It is conductive to unleashing the potential of materials,saving material consumption and increasing the service life of parts.

5. The equipemnt is compact,easy to use and has good working conditions.

6. Facilitates mechanization and automation

7. It can be used not only for surface quenching but also for penetration heating and chemical heat treatment.

The effects after induction quenching mainly include the following aspects:

1:‌Improving hardness and strength‌: Quenching changes the lattice structure of the steel by heating the metal material to an appropriate temperature and then cooling it rapidly, thereby significantly improving the hardness and strength of the material. The quenched material has higher hardness and yield strength, and is suitable for application scenarios that require high hardness and high strength‌12.

2:‌Improving wear resistance‌: The surface hardness of the quenched material increases, giving it better wear resistance. In some cases where wear resistance is required, quenching is a common treatment method‌.

3:‌Reducing toughness‌: Although quenching can improve the hardness and strength of the material, it also reduces its toughness. This is because rapid cooling during the quenching process may lead to the formation of intergranular phases in the material, making the material more susceptible to brittle fracture‌.

4: ‌Improving the material properties of certain special steels‌: Quenching can also improve the material properties or chemical properties of certain special steels, such as improving the corrosion resistance of stainless steel and increasing the permanent magnetism of magnetic steel, etc.‌4.

‌5: Grain refinement ‌: During the indcution heating quenching process, the strength and hardness of the material can be significantly improved by refining the grains and eliminating internal defects ‌1.

‌ Specific application scenarios of quenching include ‌:

*‌ Tool manufacturing ‌: Induction hardening is often used to manufacture tools that require high hardness and wear resistance, such as knives, molds, etc.

‌* Bearing manufacturing ‌: Hot Quenching can improve the hardness and wear resistance of bearings and extend their service life.

‌‌* Spring manufacturing ‌: Induction heating Quenching can significantly increase the elastic limit of springs, making them less likely to deform when subjected to large loads.

‌ ‌‌* Shaft Gear parts ‌: Quenching can improve the comprehensive mechanical properties of shaft parts, increase their load-bearing capacity and service life.

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Quenching process and precautions ‌:

‌ Heating temperature ‌: Before quenching, the material needs to be heated to above the critical temperature, usually above Ac3 or Ac1 temperature, and kept warm for a period of time to ensure that the material is completely austenitized ‌

‌ Cooling Media ‌: The cooling rate is the key to quenching, and usually needs to be greater than the critical cooling rate. Commonly used quenching media include brine, water, mineral oil, etc.

Tempering treatment: Tempering treatment is usually required after quenching to reduce internal stress, reduce brittleness, adjust mechanical properties and stabilize dimensions.

Through the above process flow and precautions, it can be ensured that the material after quenching meets the expected performance requirements.