induction Hardening of Spur Gearwheels Made from 42CrMo4 Hardening and Tempering Steel by Employing Spray Cooling

摘要

As a rule, induction surface hardening is carried out industrially by employing polymer solutions since these ensure a more homogeneous quench than immersion cooling in water. Besides reproducing the quenching process, the intention here is to minimise the hardening defects and the distortions arising from the heat treatment. Polymer solutions also have a few disadvantages which include, among others, poor environmental compatibility and handleability. Quenching by means of spray cooling provides an effective alternative. The purpose of the current investigation is to substitute the polymer solution by a water-air spray in induction hardening equipment for surface hardening spur gearwheels made of 42CrMo4 hardening and tempering steel. The suitability of spray cooling was assessed by means of hardness measurements, residual stress conditions, distortion measurements and by metallographic examinations. Based on the analyses currently carried out, it was possible to show that the two-phase spray cooling represents an alternative quenching method which produces comparable component properties.