HEAT TREATMENT COVENTRY LTD
Case Hardening Services
Case hardening is used where a hard, wear-resistant surface is required together with a tougher supporting core.
01
What the Process Is
Case hardening is a family of treatments that changes the properties of the component surface more strongly than the core. Depending on the steel grade and specification, an appropriate case-hardening route may include carburising or carbonitriding followed by hardening and tempering.
02
How the Treatment Works
The selected process introduces carbon, or carbon and nitrogen, at the surface before a controlled hardening cycle. The resulting case depth and hardness depend on material, time, temperature, quench route and the stated drawing or customer specification.
03
Why Engineers Specify It
Engineers commonly specify case hardening to improve resistance to wear, surface fatigue and indentation while retaining useful toughness beneath the surface.
04
Typical Components and Applications
- Gears and pinions
- Shafts, pins and bushes
- Cams and followers
- Wear-loaded transmission and machine components
05
Materials, Specification and Process Control
A useful enquiry identifies the steel grade, required effective or total case depth, surface hardness, core property, areas to be protected and any relevant drawing or standard.
Important: suitability depends on the exact material grade, component condition, geometry and required specification. Please provide these details for technical review before treatment.
Related Heat-Treatment Services
Not every component needs the same thermal cycle. Explore our full heat-treatment services or discuss the drawing and performance requirement with our team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Carburising is one route used to produce a hardened case. The correct terminology depends on the specified process and material.
Please provide the material grade, quantity, dimensions, case-depth and hardness requirement, drawing and any masking or finishing requirements.
No. Response varies with steel composition and prior condition, so the exact grade and specification must be reviewed.
Request a Case Hardening Quotation
Tell us the process, material or steel grade, quantity, component dimensions and required specification. We will review the information and advise on the next step.