Induktsioonkõvastamise

Induktsioonkõvastamine is an Estonian term referring to induction hardening, a heat treatment process used to increase the surface hardness of ferrous metals. This method utilizes electromagnetic induction to heat a localized area of the workpiece to its austenitizing temperature. The heat is generated by passing an alternating current through a coil placed near the surface of the metal. This alternating current creates a rapidly changing magnetic field, which in turn induces eddy currents within the conductive workpiece. These eddy currents flow against the electrical resistance of the metal, generating heat. The heating is rapid and confined to the surface layer. Immediately after reaching the required temperature, the workpiece is quenched, typically in water or oil, which rapidly cools the heated surface, causing it to transform into a hard martensitic structure. The core of the material remains relatively unaffected by the rapid surface heating and quenching, retaining its ductility and toughness. This differential hardening creates a hard, wear-resistant surface while maintaining a tough, shock-absorbent core. Induktsioonkõvastamine is widely used in various industries, including automotive, manufacturing, and tooling, for components like gears, shafts, camshafts, and cutting tools, where a combination of surface hardness and core toughness is essential for performance and durability. The process offers precise control over the hardened depth and pattern, making it an efficient and effective method for surface hardening.