Specialty Steel Treating

Case-hardening

Case hardening steel in Michigan

Many processes exist to change the properties of steel tools. These include tempering steel, oil quenching, precipitation hardening, and more. When it comes to durability, metal case hardening is one of the most efficient methods.

WHAT IS METAL CASE HARDENING?

Metal case hardening – often referred to as surface hardening – is a heat treatment process where the chemical properties of the steel’s surface are changed and hardened by adding a thin layer of carbon or nitrogen-enriched surface to the parts. Hardening the steel’s surface helps to extend the life of the steel by making it more resistant to abrasion and direct impacts.

The steel underneath the hardened layer (inner core) remains minimally changed by the heat treatment process. This inner core is more ductile, or ‘softer,’ than the hardened surface layer. Not only does case hardening improve the wear resistance of the steel’s surface, but it also dramatically improves the strength of the steel by helping it attain its maximum durability.