Induction hardening: what it is and what it is used for

A focus on this heat treatment so important for mechanical components

Within heat treatments, induction hardening stands out as an advanced technology aimed at surface hardening of mechanical components made of steel, cast iron or other alloys.

With this article, UMBRAGROUP aims to give an overview of the process, advantages and applications of induction hardening heat treatment in industry.

Induction hardening treatment: what is it?

Induction hardening is a heat treatment involving the rapid heating of a material by induction of electrical currents, thus without the need for physical contact.

This technology is based on the physical principle of immersing the workpiece to be treated in a variable electromagnetic field generated by an inductor. The electric current flowing through the inductor leads to heating of the material to high temperatures, in the range of 1000°C, in a very short time.

The induction hardening process is completed with equally rapid cooling by immersion in a liquid, typically water.

This thermal shock causes a transformation in the molecular structure of mechanical components. Carbon atoms, previously released by the high temperature, are "imprisoned" in the iron crystal lattice, leading to a significant increase in the hardness of the treated material.

Advantages of induction hardening

The use of treatment offers several benefits. First, heat treatment allows the surface hardness and wear resistance of the material to be increased, prolonging its life and reducing the need for replacement.

In addition, thanks to its precision and the ability to quickly reach the desired temperatures, induction hardening drastically reduces energy waste, while ensuring high quality heat treatments. The efficiency of the process results in lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact, making it an ideal choice for achieving high-quality product performance at the same time as being sustainable. In this way, induction hardening represents not only a breakthrough in materials technology, but also a significant contribution toward more sustainable manufacturing practices.

What is the purpose of treatment by induction hardening

As explained earlier, this heat treatment technique is particularly valued for its ability to improve the mechanical properties of ferrous materials, making them more resistant to wear and fatigue. Thanks to this, this heat treatment finds application in different sectors such as, for example, the automotive, railway, naval, energy, industrial and, above all, aerospace.

An international benchmark for more than fifty years, our industrial and aerospace products including ball screws and electromechanical actuators can be coated through induction hardening and other heat treatments. Our treatments are key to improving the characteristics of our products, increasing their durability and reliability in demanding applications.

The quality of our products is everything to us, which is why every heat treatment meets the most stringent international standards.

Conclusion

In conclusion, induction hardening presents itself as an advanced and versatile technology in the heat treatment landscape, offering numerous advantages, including increased hardness and strength of materials, increased reliability of mechanical components, and reduced environmental impact due to its energy efficiency. This process is certainly a significant step toward more sustainable production without the compromise of industrial product performance and quality.