Investigations of high-frequency induction hardening process for piston rod of shock absorber

The microhardness of piston rods treated with different induction hardening processes was tested. The experimental results reveal that the depth of the hardened zone is proportional to the ratio of the moving speed of the piston rod to the output power of the induction generator. This result is proved correct through the Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation of the thermal field of induction heating. From tensile and impact tests, an optimized high frequency induction hardening process for piston rods has been obtained, where the output power was 82%×80 kW and the moving speed of workpiece was 5364 mm/min. The piston rods, treated by the optimized high frequency induction hardening process, show the best comprehensive mechanical performance.

Numerical analysis of 3D spot continual induction hardening on curved surface of AISI 1045 steel

In order to investigate and predict the material properties of curved surface AISI 1045 steel component during spot continual induction hardening(SCIH),a 3D model for curved surface workpieces which coupled electromagnetic,temperature and phase transformation fields was built by finite element software ANSYS.A small size inductor and magnetizer were used in this model,which can move along the top surface of workpiece flexibly.The effect of inductor moving velocity and workpiece radius on temperature field was analyzed and the heating delay phenomenon was found through comparing the simulated results.The temperature field results indicate that the heating delay phenomenon is more obvious under high inductor moving velocity condition.This trend becomes more obvious if the workpiece radius becomes larger.The predictions of microstructure and micro-hardness distribution were also carried out via this model.The predicted results show that the inductor moving velocity is the dominated factor for the distribution of 100% martensite region and phase transformation region.The influencing factor of workpiece radius on 100% martensite region and phase transformation region distribution is obvious under relatively high inductor moving velocity but inconspicuous under relatively low inductor moving velocity.

Quenchants for Induction Hardening for the Automotive Industry, Choice and Maintenance

The different types of quenchants for induction hardening - mainly for shower quenching - but also for immersion will be described in regard to their properties, film-formation, remaining residues, how to handle these etc.. Furtheron the maintenance of such quench fluids will be desribed in detail regarding concentration control, control of growth of micro-organism, contamination and maintenance.

Studies on induction hardening of powder-metallurgy-processed Fe–Cr/Mo alloys

Induction hardening of dense Fe–Cr/Mo alloys processed via the powder-metallurgy route was studied. The Fe-3Cr-0.5Mo, Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo, and Fe-0.85 Mo pre-alloyed powders were mixed with 0.4wt%, 0.6wt%, and 0.8wt% C and compacted at 500, 600, and 700 MPa, respectively. The compacts were sintered at 1473 K for 1 h and then cooled at 6 K/min. Ferrite with pearlite was mostly observed in the sintered alloys with 0.4wt% C, whereas a carbide network was also present in the alloys with 0.8wt% C. Graphite at prior particle boundaries led to deterioration of the mechanical properties of alloys with 0.8wt% C, whereas no significant induction hardening was achieved in alloys with 0.4wt% C. Among the investigated samples, alloys with 0.6wt% C exhibited the highest strength and ductility and were found to be suitable for induction hardening. The hardening was carried out at a frequency of 2.0 kHz for 2–3 s. A case depth of 2.5 mm was achieved while maintaining the bulk(interior) hardness of approximately HV 230. A martensitic structure was observed on the outer periphery of the samples. The hardness varied from HV 600 to HV 375 from the sample surface to the interior of the case hardened region. The best combination of properties and hardening depth was achieved in case of the Fe-1.5Cr-0.2Mo alloy with 0.6wt% C.

Case Depth Measurement of Induction Hardening Using Image Processing

Case depth measurement of the induction hardened steel parts is necessary for quality control. Vickers microhardness test is the most industrially accepted method to identify the case depth. But this method is a time consuming one and it requires expensive equipment. The aim of this study is to develop a different method to determine the case depth using image processing. The surface hardened steel samples were cross cut, ground and etched with Nital. The etched macrosectioned specimens were scanned by a scanner. The scanned images were evaluated by the developed software. The principle of the software is to identify the gray level difference. The effective case depths of the surface hardened specimens obtained by Vickers microhardness test and the developed method were compared. It was found that the deviation of the developed method was ±0.12 mm at the case depth range of 0.6 - 2.0 mm and mm at the case depth range of 2.1 - 4.3 mm. The measuring time was only 20% of Vickers microhardness test. The deviation range is much lower than the tolerance case depth specification for induction hardening in general.

FATIGUE LIVES FOR INDUCTION HARDENED SHAFTS MATERIALS ACCORDING TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL TEMPERATURES

Rotary bending fatigue tests were carried out with two kinds of materials, S43C and S50C, using the front engine and front drive shaft （FF shaft） of vehicle. The specimens were induction hardened about 1.0mm depth from the specimen surface, and the hardness value on the surface was about HRC56-60. The tested environment temperatures were -30, 25 and 80℃ in order to look over effect of the induction hardening and the environmental temperatures on the fatigue characteristics. The fatigue limit of induction hardened specimens increased more about 45% than non-hardened specimens showing that the endurances of S43C and S50C were 98.1 and 107.9MPa in non-hardened samples, 147.1 and 156.9MPa in hardened samplesrespectably. The maximum tensile and compressive stress on the small circular defect was about ＋250 and -450MPa respectively when circular defect is situated on top and bottom. The fatigue life increased 80, 25 and -30℃ in order regardless of hardening. In comparison of the fatigue lives on the basis of tested result at 25℃, the fatigue lives of non-hardened specimens decreased about 35%, but that of hardened specimens decreased about only 5% at 80℃ more than at 25℃. And fatigue life of non-hardened and hardened specimens were about 110% and 120% higher at -30℃ than that of 25℃. Based on the result of stress distribution near the defect, the tensile and compressive stress repeatedly generated by load direction were the largest on the small circular defect due to the stress concentration.

INFLUENCE OF SURFACE HARDENING ON CONTACT FATIGUE LIFE OF NODULAR CAST IRON

The influence of laser surface melting and induction hardening on the surface structure,con- tact fatigue life and failure behaviour of the nodular cast iron has been investigated.The con- tact fatigue life can be improved by both laser treatment and induction hardening,but the fail- ure process and type are different from each other.The former is due to lumpy and deep spal- ling caused by crack propagation between the quenching zone and the substrate,and the latter is due to nubby and surface flaking caused by the oil wedged action into surface cracks.

Parameter Optimization Study on Control of Distortion in Bright Bar Used In Rack Application Subjected To Induction Heat Treatment

The engineering properties of metals and alloys are related to their structures. The change in mechanical properties of the metals and alloys can be achieved by the process of heat treatment. Induction hardening is one such a process involves phase transformation by rapid heating and cooling of the outer surface. Induction hardening improves the outer surface hardness and wear resistant properties keeping the original toughness and ductility in the inner core. However past experiences shows that during heat treatment, parts have undergone dimensional changes due to thermal fluctuations and phase transformations. Dimensional changes can lead to excessive distortion in the component which always presented difficulties to the uses of many varieties of steels which can be hardened by induction hardening. The dimensional changes in components which have been induction hardened have for a long time proved costly and troublesome to manufacturers. These difficulties apply particularly in the automotive industry where the amount of distortion in rack and pinion assembly has been related to their noise level in operation and investigators have suggested a link between distortion and the initiation of fatigue failure. [1] Although the complete elimination of distortion would be an ideal aim, manufacturers are reconciled to the fact that a certain amount of distortion is an inherent part of the hardening process. However, if the amount of distortion is uniform and predictable, an allowance could be made in the initial machining operations. It was with these aims that investigations into the control of distortion in bright bar (EN 18D steel) used in rack application (Power steering assembly) have been carried out by parameter optimization

Multiphysics FEM Simulation of Contour Induction Hardening Process on Aeronautical Gears

Induction heating has been widely used by the heat treatment industry mainly in the wind-power and automotive sectors,in particular for hardening purposes,in a broad range of applications,its main advantages being the high repeatability and easy automation of the process,both factors leading to improved manufacturing efficiency and reduced CO;emissions.Though,traditional furnace-based case hardening treatments still represent the choice of reference when performance requirements are particularly demanding,either for the critical operating conditions or safety-related issues.The processes of CIH（Contour Induction Hardening）,compared to the traditional carburizing processes,allows to reduce the deformations after heat treatment.The main purpose of these treatments,as well as increases the surface hardness of the piece,is to induce compressive stresses in the superficial layer,improving the fatigue behavior.A multiphysics magneto-thermal simulation can be developed in order to calculate the temperature distribution in the gear,setting the input parameters such as currents,frequencies and treatment times.

Numerical Simulation of Electromagnetic Field and Temperature Field in Medium-Frequency Induction Furnace Melting Process

A mathematical model for describing the melting process in the medium-frequency induction furnace was developed.Finite difference method was applied to deal with coupling electromagnetic field and temperature field in the melting process.The magnetic induction,temperature distribution and the phase interface moving characteristic during melting of the furnace burden were calculated.The effects of the direct current and inductive heating frequency on the process were analyzed.The simulation results show that:In the direction of burden radius,magnetic induction decreases from the outside of the burden to the center.Solid/liquid interface moves gradually from the outside of the burden to the center.The movement speed increases when the burden begins to melt.In the direction of the burden height,the distribution of eddy current in the surface is accord with the edge effect of the coil.Solid/liquid interface moves gradually from the center to the two sides.The direct current has a greater effect on the electromagnetic field and temperature field than frequency.

Induction Hardening of Steel Tubes by Means of Internal Inductor

The paper deals with mathematical modeling of induction hardening of internal surfaces of steel tubes used for transportation of loose materials.First a comparison of two ways of induction surface hardening was provided.Then the coupled electromagnetic and temperature fields analysis was provided by means of single-owned packages.Quite good convergence between measurements done on especially built laboratory stand and computations was achieved.

Fatigue Properties Improvement of Low-Carbon Alloy Axle Steel by Induction Hardening and Shot Peening:A Prospective Comparison

Fatigue fracture is the major threat to the railway axle, which can be avoided or delayed by surface strengthening. In this study, a low-carbon alloy axle steel with two states was treated by surface induction hardening and shot peening, respectively, to reveal the mechanism of fatigue property improvement by microstructure characterization, microhardness measurement, residual stress analysis, roughness measurement, and rotary bending fatigue tests. The results indicate that both quenching and tempering treatment can effectively improve the fatigue properties of the modified axle steel. In addition, induction hardening can create an ideal hardened layer on the sample surface by phase transformation from the microstructure of ferrite and pearlite to martensite. By comparison, shot peening can modify the microstructure in surface layer by surface severe plastic deformation introducing a large number of dislocation and even cause grain refinement. Both induction hardening and shot peening create compressive residual stress into the surface layer of axle steel sample, which can effectively reduce the stress level applied to the metal surface during the rotary bending fatigue tests. On the whole, the contribution of induction hardening to the fatigue life of axle steel sample is better than that of the shot peening, and induction hardening shows obvious advantages in improving the fatigue life of axle steel.

人工缺陷下感应淬火重载铁路车轴损伤容限评价

目的研究不同感应淬火工艺对重载铁路车轴钢试样梯度结构的影响,阐明不同人工缺陷下感应淬火试样的疲劳断裂行为,并评价损伤容限,为重载铁路车轴感应淬火工艺设计和损伤容限评价提供理论基础和评价方法。方法在AAR-CM车轴钢试样表面采用不同感应淬火工艺参数制备不同深度淬硬层,采用X射线测量淬硬层残余应力分布,通过电火花和空气炮在正火态和感应淬火试样表面制备不同尺寸的电火花或冲击损伤,采用疲劳试验机研究损伤试样的弯曲疲劳性能,借助光学显微镜和扫描电镜分析试样的损伤机理和疲劳断裂行为,并对其疲劳性能进行评价。结果在3种工艺下感应淬火试样有效淬硬层深度分别为800、1200、1400μm。在电火花缺口尺寸较小时,感应淬火试样的疲劳强度比正火态试样高出50%。在冲击损伤尺寸较小时,感应淬火试样的疲劳强度比正火态试样高出40%。较小的尺寸冲击损伤对正火态和感应淬火处理试样的疲劳强度无影响。结论感应淬火可提高重载铁路车轴钢试样表面强度,进而提高其耐冲击性能,残余压应力减弱了电火花缺口试样和低速冲击损伤对试样疲劳强度的影响,高速冲击破坏了试样表面完整性,并削弱了残余压应力的作用,试样的疲劳强度急剧降低。文中设计的淬硬层深度对感应淬火试样损伤容限的影响较小。

感应加热温度对滚珠丝杠用S55C钢微观组织及力学性能的影响

为了优化感应淬火工艺参数,改善滚珠丝杠表面硬度和力学性能,研究了滚珠丝杠用S55C钢的感应淬火工艺.利用自行设计的感应加热工装对滚珠丝杠用S55C钢试样进行感应淬火处理,使用光学显微镜和扫描电子显微镜进行微观结构表征,并采用拉伸试验、金相实验和显微硬度测试,分析了感应加热温度对试样的微观组织、显微硬度和断口形貌等方面的影响.结果表明:油冷时,当试样加热至960℃左右,微观组织为均匀细小马氏体,维氏硬度约为750,抗拉强度约为1200 MPa;水冷时,当试样加热至860℃左右,微观组织也为均匀细小马氏体,维氏硬度约为800,抗拉强度约为780 MPa;油冷试样和水冷试样在室温拉伸时所展现的断裂方式均为脆性断裂,油冷试样多表现出解理断裂特征,而水冷试样沿晶断裂特征更明显,并出现明显的冰糖状断裂形貌.该研究结果可为滚珠丝杠用S55C钢感应淬火工艺的设计提供理论依据和技术指导.

42CrMo钢长轴感应淬火裂纹原因分析

观察了感应淬火后42CrMo钢长轴开裂的微观组织、裂纹形貌并测试其化学成分和力学性能,分析了裂纹的形成原因。结果表明:裂纹沿轴向分布且仅存在于大直径区域的淬硬层,与心部相比,该区域晶粒异常粗大且部分晶界熔化,裂纹沿晶扩展,裂纹内存在氧化物,因此判断裂纹产生的主要原因是感应淬火工艺参数不当,导致在长轴直径增大区域的淬火加热温度过高,从而造成淬硬层发生过烧、晶界弱化甚至烧蚀,从而出现裂纹。相比小直径区域,大直径区域的淬硬层较厚、硬度偏低,也佐证了该论断。

凸轮轴异常磨损分析及工艺优化

失效分析得出,凸轮轴感应淬火质量及凸轮轴精磨工艺引起的磨削烧伤是凸轮轴异常磨损的主要原因。通过砂轮修型、优化磨削工艺参数即采取更优磨削烧伤检测手段,增大磨削烧伤检测频次等措施彻底消除磨削烧伤。优化感应器尺寸、感应淬火参数及完善感应淬火后的检测方法,使感应淬火质量得到显著提升。同时工艺优化措施已经固化应用于实际生产中,凸轮轴短里程的异常磨损问题已基本解决。

带内齿的谐波减速器专用交叉滚子轴承设计及其表面淬火加工技术

随着谐波减速器行业的不断发展,如何实现整机体积更小、重量更轻变得至关重要。利用一种交叉滚子轴承的新设计理念,将轴承与其他连接部件设计为整体结构,可实现谐波减速器整机轻量化的目的。在产品研制过程中,利用无软带表面技术,可实现滚道硬度高、齿韧性好的目的。

某型号曲轴表面感应淬火改性的加工工艺设计

曲轴在长时间运动中容易因异常磨损及疲劳裂纹而产生失效,为了提升曲轴表面的耐磨性能和抗疲劳性能,针对某型号发动机曲轴表面感应淬火改性的偿试,对加工工艺进行了分析、设计,重点针对变形控制提出工艺措施,并通过工艺实验验证加工工艺的可行性。

45钢链轮淬火裂纹常见原因分析与预防

45钢链轮在调质处理或感应淬火时,表面时常出现淬火裂纹。对淬火裂纹产生原因进行分析,提出了预防淬火裂纹的措施。应根据链轮化学成分、原材料金相组织、链轮结构复杂程度和表面状态等进行分析,制定合理的热处理工艺,采取预防措施,减小链轮淬火时热应力和组织应力。还需要加强现场工艺操作管理,增强责任心,避免45钢链轮淬火裂纹产生。