Case hardness depth definition
Case-hardened components are heat-treated steel workpieces. Here the workpiece is carburized, hardened, then tempered. This produces a hard, wear-resistant surface, while the core remains relatively soft and tough.
Determination of the case hardness depth CHD is described in the ISO 2639 standard.
Case hardening is used on non-hardenable steels. Carburizing with a carburizing medium (e.g. gas or packing into carbon granulate) at a temperature of 850-950 °C, enriches the surface layer with carbon atoms. These diffuse from the enriched surface layer into the core. The result is a noticeably decreasing carbon profile from the surface to the core. Next the workpiece is hardened. This produces a deliberate change and conversion of the structure in accordance with the amount of carbon in the surface layer. After hardening, the workpiece is tempered in order to increase toughness and relieve internal stress.
Case hardness depth determination
- Hardness indents are applied at precisely defined distances, see illustration. The test method to be used can be either Vickers or Knoop with a test force between 0.98 - 9.8 N.
- The case hardness depth (CHD) is derived from the curve representing the hardness as a function of the distance from the edge of the specimen surface (edge distance) by measuring the edge distance up to a limit hardness of 550 HV or the corresponding Knoop hardness value.
