Induction Hardening: Gears & Critical Components
April 23rd, 2010
Gear performance characteristics (including load condition and operating environment) dictate the required surface hardness, core hardness, hardness profile, residual stress distribution, grade of steel, and the prior microstructure of the steel 1. In contrast to carburizing and nitriding, induction hardening does not require heating the whole gear. With induction, heating can be localized to only those areas in which metallurgical changes are required. For example, the flanks, roots, and tips of gear teeth can be selectively hardened.