Protective gas hardening
Gas-shielded hardening is used to give steel tools significantly higher hardness and better mechanical properties.
Low-alloy materials and carbon steels are not suitable for vacuum hardening due to their cooling dynamics. This is where protective gas hardening comes into play, in which the component is quenched in oil . Since oil quenching is much more abrupt than gas quenching, greater distortion is to be expected.
Once the load has been properly arranged in the system, it is automatically transported into the hardening furnace. Since the furnace chamber is under an inert gas atmosphere , no scale forms. The process gas used depends on the specific component. During the subsequent quenching in an oil bath, the surface may oxidize slightly.
The Hardening Process for High-Performance Components
Through subsequent heat treatment, we precisely tailor the desired component properties. This significantly increases the service life and durability of your products. Inert-gas hardening is not suitable for components with sharp edges or large differences in cross-sectional area. The process offers the highest level of reproducibility.
KEY FIGURES: Inert Gas Hardening
Temperature:
up to 1,000°C
Oven size:
1,000 x 600 x 550 mm
Processing time:
48 hours or more
Max. load capacity*:
600 kg
*per batch for standard sizes and treatments
Advantages of INERT GAS 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.
Components for Inert Gas Hardening:
- Shafts and Axles
- Gears, Pinions, and Rack and Pinion Systems
- Bolts, Pins, and Sleeves
- Tools and Tool Components
- Machine and Transmission Parts
- Functional components with medium cross-sections
Inert Gas Hardening Process:
Inert-gas hardening is used for components made of low-alloy materials where a high cooling rate is required to ensure uniform hardening throughout the entire cross-section. An inert-gas atmosphere protects the surface from scale formation.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Please use our contact form or contact our sales team directly.
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
vacuum hardening
In vacuum hardening, your component is heated in a vacuum and then quenched using nitrogen under positive pressure. High-alloy materials are typically vacuum-hardened.
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
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 gas-atmosphere hardening?
Inert-gas hardening is a heat treatment process in which metal components are heated to the hardening temperature in an inert gas atmosphere and then rapidly quenched in an oil bath. The inert gas protects the component surface from oxidation and scale formation. This process is particularly suitable for low-alloy materials and unalloyed carbon steels.
What are the advantages of gas-shielded hardening?
Inert-gas hardening offers several key advantages:
– Cost-effective hardening:Theprocess is fully automated, 100% reproducible, and therefore particularly cost-effective.
– No scaling:Theinert gas atmosphere prevents oxidation on the surface and protects the quality of the edge zones.
– High component quality:Oil quenchingproduces a uniform level of hardening throughout the entire cross-section—ideal for components subjected to high loads.
How does the gas-shielded hardening process work?
Once the batch has been properly loaded, it is automatically fed into the hardening furnace. The furnace chamber is maintained under a defined inert gas atmosphere—depending on the component, this can be, for example, nitrogen, methane, or endogas. This prevents damage to the surface. Once the hardening temperature (up to 1,000°C) is reached, the components are rapidly quenched in an oil bath. This is followed by a tempering treatment to precisely adjust the desired mechanical properties.
Which components are suitable for gas-shielded hardening?
This process is ideal for tools, machine parts, bolts, gears, or other components made of low-alloy steel that must withstand high mechanical stress. It is ideal for mass-produced parts with uniform geometry, but not for components with sharp edges or abrupt changes in cross-section.
What are the technical parameters of gas-atmosphere hardening?
– Temperature:up to1,000 °C
– Oven dimensions:1,000 × 600 × 550 mm
– Turnaround time: 48 hoursor more
– Maximum load weight per batch:up to600 kg