Härtungszonen

Härtungszonen, often translated as hardening zones or case hardening zones, refer to the regions within a material, typically a metal, that have undergone a localized increase in hardness and strength. This phenomenon is usually achieved through processes like induction hardening or flame hardening. These methods selectively heat specific areas of a component to a temperature above their critical transformation point, followed by rapid cooling (quenching). The rapid cooling transforms the microstructure in the heated zone to a harder phase, such as martensite, while the surrounding material remains relatively unaffected or in a softer state.

The depth and extent of the Härtungszonen are controlled by factors such as the heating method, heating time, cooling rate, and the material's composition. These zones are crucial for enhancing the wear resistance, fatigue strength, and overall durability of components subjected to high stress or friction. Common applications include gears, shafts, cutting tools, and automotive parts where specific areas require superior mechanical properties. Understanding and controlling Härtungszonen is essential for achieving the desired performance characteristics in engineered components. The boundaries between the hardened and unhardened regions are often referred to as the case depth.