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.

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.

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.

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 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.