Pintakovetuskäsittelyjen

Pintakovetuskä is a Finnish term that translates to "surface hardening" in English. It refers to a metallurgical process used to increase the hardness and wear resistance of the outer layer of a metal object, while leaving the core relatively soft and ductile. This differential hardness provides a combination of strength and toughness, making the treated part more durable and less prone to fracture.

Several methods fall under the umbrella of pintakovetuskä. One common technique is induction hardening, where an electromagnetic field is used to rapidly heat the surface of the metal, followed by quenching in a liquid or gas. Flame hardening is another method that employs a high-temperature flame to heat the surface, which is then quenched. Carburizing and nitriding are diffusion-based processes where carbon or nitrogen atoms are introduced into the surface of the metal at elevated temperatures, altering its chemical composition and resulting in a harder surface layer after subsequent heat treatment.

The specific choice of pintakovetuskä method depends on the type of metal, the desired hardness depth, the geometry of the part, and economic considerations. This process is widely applied in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing, for components such as gears, shafts, tools, and cutting edges where enhanced surface properties are critical for performance and longevity.