Case Hardening

In case hardening, the surface layer of a component is enriched with carbon and then hardened. This creates a particularly hard and wear-resistant surface, while the core remains tough and resilient.

This combination makes the process the ideal solution for components that must withstand high pressure loads, dynamic forces, and continuous wear.

Case hardening is one of the most proven heat treatment processes for components subjected to high stress. Thanks to the high surface hardness and the deep effective surface layer, even extreme point and line loads are reliably absorbed.

Typical applications include:

Gears
Transmission Components
Waves
Guide pin
Clutch and Drive Components
Mechanical Engineering Components

When maximum strength, long service life, and a wear-resistant surface are required, case hardening is often the first choice.

KEY FIGURES FOR OPERATING HARDNESSES

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Temperature:

up to 1,000°C

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Oven size:

1,000 x 600 x 550 mm

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Processing time:

48 hours or more

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Max. load capacity*:

600 kg

*per batch for standard sizes and treatments

Advantages of Case Hardening

Cost-Effective Hardening

Inert-gas hardening is a fully automated, 100 percent reproducible, and therefore relatively cost-effective hardening process.

No carbon buildup

The components are protected from adverse effects on the edge zone in an inert gas atmosphere.

Outstanding component properties

In gas-protective hardening, rapid quenching in oil results in components with a uniform degree of hardening throughout their entire cross-section.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Please use our contact form or contact our sales team directly.

Contact form

Silvio Stranek

Sales, Technical Consulting / Quotes (Upper Austria, Tyrol, Salzburg, Vorarlberg, Bavaria, South Tyrol)

Email. s.stranek@htr.at
Phone: +43 (0) 664 / 88 92 78 10

Thomas Stadlober

Sales, Technical Consulting / Quotes (Styria, Vienna, Lower Austria, Carinthia, Slovenia)

Email. t.stadlober@htr.at
Phone: +43 (0) 664 / 88 64 15 06

OTHER HARDENING PROCESSES

Protective gas hardening

In gas-protective hardening, the metal component is heated to the hardening temperature in a protective gas atmosphere and then rapidly cooled in an oil bath. Low-alloy materials are typically heat-treated in this manner.

induction hardening

In induction hardening, the areas to be hardened are heated using an induction current and then quenched with a water spray if necessary.

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OUR INDUSTRIES

Our diverse range of industries and our extensive expertise in the heat treatment of a wide variety of metal components make us a particularly reliable partner with in-depth industry knowledge and a broad understanding of applications.

Automotive industry

Aerospace

Medical technology

Tool and Machine Manufacturing

Your Questions, Answered

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions to help you better understand our services.

What is case hardening?

Case hardening is a thermochemical diffusion process. In this process, carbon is diffused into the surface layer of the material, which is then hardened. The result is a hard surface combined with a tough, high-strength core.

What are the advantages of case hardening?

High wear resistance
High pressure resistance
Good fatigue strength
High load-bearing capacity of the surface layer
A tougher and more resilient core
Long Service Life of High-Stress Components

What does "case hardening depth" (EHT) mean?

The case hardening depth describes the depth of the effective hardened surface layer. Depending on the requirements, case hardening depths ranging from a few tenths of a millimeter to several millimeters can be achieved. The greater the case hardening depth, the higher the surface’s load-bearing capacity.

Which materials are suitable for case hardening?

MnCr-alloyed and CrNi-alloyed case-hardened steels are frequently used. The choice of the appropriate material depends on the component’s size, geometry, and load.

Does case hardening cause dimensional changes or warping?

Due to the high process temperatures and the subsequent quenching, dimensional changes and warping may occur. Modern equipment and optimized process control significantly reduce these effects. However, a completely warp-free process is physically impossible.

Can case hardening be replaced by nitriding?

Not always. Nitriding processes offer advantages for many applications. However, if high point, line, or dynamic loads must be absorbed through a deeper diffusion layer, case hardening is often the best solution.

What is carbonitriding?

Carbonitriding is a type of case hardening used for certain unalloyed steels. In this process, carbon and nitrogen are introduced into the surface layer simultaneously. The process is particularly suitable for smaller components and specific applications.

Which process is right for my component?

The optimal heat treatment depends on the material, geometry, load, and the required properties. Our specialists will be happy to advise you on selecting the appropriate process.