1 Introduction
Heat treatment is an effective way to improve the properties of metals and alloys. Many metals and alloys are hardened by quenching and tempering, and many others can be strengthened by precipitation hardening. Heat treatment techniques are widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries, as they offer significant benefits in terms of improved performance and extended lifespans. In this article, the focus is on two specific heat treatment techniques – rim fire hardening and core fire hardening – and their applications in the automotive and aerospace industries.
2 Overview of Rim Fire Hardening
Rim fire hardening is a heat treatment technique commonly used for ferrous metals and alloys. The process is performed on the surface of the metal, and involves heating the material to a predetermined temperature, followed by a rapid cool down. The sudden cooling process causes the surface of the metal to harden and become more wear resistant. The cooling process can also be used to induce other properties, such as increased ductility and strength, depending on the requirements of the application.
3 Overview of Core Fire Hardening
Core fire hardening is another heat treatment technique commonly used for ferrous metals and alloys. The process is performed on the internal part of the metal, and involves heating the material to a specific temperature, followed by a rapid cooling of the interior of the metal. Core fire hardening is used to specifically induce different hardening mechanisms, such as martensitic transformation or retained austenite formation. The resulting changes in the metal’s microstructure improve its wear resistance and fatigue strength.
4 Applications of Rim Fire Hardening and Core Fire Hardening
Rim fire hardening and core fire hardening are widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries. They are used to improve wear resistance and fatigue strength in these industries where metal components are subjected to extreme temperatures and wear. The hardness and wear resistance of the metal components can be improved by using specialist heat treatments such as rim fire hardening and core fire hardening.
In the automotive industry, for example, rim fire hardening and core fire hardening can be used to improve the wear resistance of engine components such as camshafts, crankshafts, and valve stems. In the aerospace industry, these techniques are used to improve the wear resistance of components such as turbine blades and landing gear parts.
5 Conclusion
Rim fire hardening and core fire hardening are two heat treatment techniques used to improve the wear resistance and fatigue strength of metal components. These techniques are used in the automotive and aerospace industries to provide improved performance and extended lifespans for components subjected to extreme temperatures and wear. Rim fire hardening and core fire hardening are cost-effective and reliable solutions for improving the performance of metal components.
