how do you 'harden' something
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 16,477
Likes: 26
From: Gone
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03
Re: how do you 'harden' something (ICULUKN-C5)
Heat treating is a fine and precise art. The exact method, process will depend on the material being used, and the final hardness desired.
As a very general description, to harden something, you will heat it up to a high temperature, and then quench it, or quickly cool it down. The temperature and time at that temperature, and the quench medium (air, water, oil, etc) will affect the finished hardness, and also how brittle it becomes. Many hardened items will also need to be tempered (another heat treatment) to relieve such brittleness and stresses within the metal. There are also different types of hardening. Through-hardening hardens the entire part. Case hardening hardens the outside surface only. I could go on and on, but thats the basic of it.
Annealing is basically the opposite of hardening, in which you are making the material softer. The process is similar, but instead of cooling quickly, you cool very slowly.
:cheers:
As a very general description, to harden something, you will heat it up to a high temperature, and then quench it, or quickly cool it down. The temperature and time at that temperature, and the quench medium (air, water, oil, etc) will affect the finished hardness, and also how brittle it becomes. Many hardened items will also need to be tempered (another heat treatment) to relieve such brittleness and stresses within the metal. There are also different types of hardening. Through-hardening hardens the entire part. Case hardening hardens the outside surface only. I could go on and on, but thats the basic of it.
Annealing is basically the opposite of hardening, in which you are making the material softer. The process is similar, but instead of cooling quickly, you cool very slowly.
:cheers:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 885
Likes: 0
From: The Woodlands Texas
Re: how do you 'harden' something (ICULUKN-C5)
Heat. Lot's of heat concentrated in the local area of what you are wanting to harden - such as friction that occurs when ..... :lol: :crazy: :D
Seriously, open flame hardening is a method used so is oven cooking at around 800 deg F. Temperature needed depends on metallurgy and hardness value you are looking for.
Hope this helped. And I'd change the title. :jester :steering:
SAVE THE WAVE :seeya :cheers: :cool:
Seriously, open flame hardening is a method used so is oven cooking at around 800 deg F. Temperature needed depends on metallurgy and hardness value you are looking for.
Hope this helped. And I'd change the title. :jester :steering:
SAVE THE WAVE :seeya :cheers: :cool:
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Re: how do you 'harden' something (ICULUKN-C5)
I've heard (and read on the forum) that hardened output shaft is well worth the small investment. Have never heard of this part failing on an A4.....however, I'm getting it as it's cheap insurance and peace of mind.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 3
From: Southern Maryland Maryland
Re: how do you 'harden' something (SvenOdin)
viagra and cyrogenics...One hardens shafts and the other works on gears. Honestly you can call WCC and get them to cryo your gearbox.
Phillip :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Phillip :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,369
Likes: 51
From: New Milford CT
Re: how do you 'harden' something (ICULUKN-C5)
I doubt if there will be a serious reply the way this thread is going :D
But, if the shaft is hardened won't it become more brittle and more prone to break? Or is just case hardened outside with tough ductile inner core?
Actually, wouldn't a different material be better, just make the shaft out of a higher tensile strength steel?
But, if the shaft is hardened won't it become more brittle and more prone to break? Or is just case hardened outside with tough ductile inner core?
Actually, wouldn't a different material be better, just make the shaft out of a higher tensile strength steel?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 0
From: Decatur IN
Re: how do you 'harden' something (CJS)
well, my first thought would be to go to your local Hooters restaurant and simply wait for something to harden!!
seriously, I think other members have explained the process pretty good. Our hardened output shafts are made from 300M aircraft alloy, then heat treated to the desired rockwell hardness. They have proven to be very dependable, and I haven't heard of anyone breaking one.
I did a GP on these a couple months ago, and haven't heard of any complaints. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Hope this helps,
Ed
seriously, I think other members have explained the process pretty good. Our hardened output shafts are made from 300M aircraft alloy, then heat treated to the desired rockwell hardness. They have proven to be very dependable, and I haven't heard of anyone breaking one.
I did a GP on these a couple months ago, and haven't heard of any complaints. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions
Hope this helps,
Ed
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,269
Likes: 1
From: Richmond Ca
Re: how do you 'harden' something (Y2Kvert4me)
Metals are hardened in various ways Annealing (heat treating) is one.
While it is true that annealing does soften the metal but it's only softened for the short time that the heat is applied. What happens after the heat is applied depends on what metal it is. Ferrous metals are allowed to cool slowly to allow their molecules to align yielding a stronger more pliable (less brittle) form of the metal.
For non-ferrous metals the process calls for quickly quenching the heat to align the molecules, because the heating causes their molecuiles to align.
Cryogenics (cold treatments) also can have a similar affect on some metals. :cheers:
[Modified by wwashing, 8:30 AM 1/9/2003]
While it is true that annealing does soften the metal but it's only softened for the short time that the heat is applied. What happens after the heat is applied depends on what metal it is. Ferrous metals are allowed to cool slowly to allow their molecules to align yielding a stronger more pliable (less brittle) form of the metal.
For non-ferrous metals the process calls for quickly quenching the heat to align the molecules, because the heating causes their molecuiles to align.
Cryogenics (cold treatments) also can have a similar affect on some metals. :cheers:
[Modified by wwashing, 8:30 AM 1/9/2003]
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Rocky Hill CT
Re: how do you 'harden' something (ICULUKN-C5)
While I don't have a particulary useful response I will say Britney Spears usually does the trick. Or if you catch me first thing in the morning. :skep:
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Lackey, my own dragstrip VA.
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Re: how do you 'harden' something (ICULUKN-C5)
Each application is different and that is how you correctly pick , so this is where the experienced person can show their stuff.
To brittle is not good, Snap-o-rama..........to soft, twist-o-ram-a....
Hardening 101:
Increasing hardness by suitable treatment, usually involving heating and cooling. When applicable, the following more specific terms should be used: age hardening, case hardening, flame hardening, induction hardening, precipitation hardening, quench hardening.
Any process which increases the hardness of a metal. Usually heating and quenching certain iron base alloys from a temperature either within or above the critical temperature range.
Hardness
Degree to which a metal will resist cutting, abrasion, penetration, bending and stetching. The indicated hardness of metals will differ somewhat with the specific apparatus and technique of measuring. For details concerning the various types of apparatus used in measuring hardness, See Brinell Hardness, Rockwell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Scleroscope Hardness. Tensile Strength also is an indication of hardness.
I have played with many of these types of testing, interesting destructive test results :eek:
To brittle is not good, Snap-o-rama..........to soft, twist-o-ram-a....
Hardening 101:
Increasing hardness by suitable treatment, usually involving heating and cooling. When applicable, the following more specific terms should be used: age hardening, case hardening, flame hardening, induction hardening, precipitation hardening, quench hardening.
Any process which increases the hardness of a metal. Usually heating and quenching certain iron base alloys from a temperature either within or above the critical temperature range.
Hardness
Degree to which a metal will resist cutting, abrasion, penetration, bending and stetching. The indicated hardness of metals will differ somewhat with the specific apparatus and technique of measuring. For details concerning the various types of apparatus used in measuring hardness, See Brinell Hardness, Rockwell Hardness, Vickers Hardness, Scleroscope Hardness. Tensile Strength also is an indication of hardness.
I have played with many of these types of testing, interesting destructive test results :eek:
