Components made from case-hardening steels with a low Carbon content are carburised in the surface zone. Subsequent hardening results in a wear-resistant surface layer with a hardness of up to 62 HRC and increased fatigue strength. Alloying elements such as Manganese, Nickel and Chromium increase the core strength. The main areas of application are gear manufacturing and tools in plastics processing.
Case-hardening steels have a low carbon content. Carburising or carbonitriding of components in the surface layer with subsequent hardening results in a wear-resistant, compressive-stressed surface layer with a hardness of up to approx. 62 HRC. This increases the wear resistance and fatigue strength of a component. The core of a component remains comparatively tough and can absorb impact stress with a high level of fracture resistance.
Alloying elements such as manganese, nickel and chromium increase the core strength and wear resistance.
Melting usually takes place in air. Special metallurgical production processes, e.g. remelting processes, are used for applications that require maximum purity and homogeneity and therefore maximum fatigue strength.
Case-hardening steel is used in automotive engineering in motor racing and in mechanical and plant engineering, for example for drive shafts, clutch parts and gear wheels, but also for smaller moulds and inserts in plastic processing tools.