Hardness and microstructure distributions in gear wheels made of steel AISI 4340 after consecutive dual frequency induction hardening

Abstract

The paper deals with the Consecutive Dual Frequency Induction Hardening of small gear wheels made of the special quality steel AISI 4340. Mathematical model of the process is elaborated. A special emphasis is put on a determination of hardness and microstructure calculated by the modified QT steel software. Exemplary computations are compared with measurements and reasonable accordance between them is achieved. An expected contour shape of the hardened zone is obtained. However for the analysed case the shape of the hardened zone is non-uniform. In order to achieve its uniform thickness along the working surface of tooth shorter heating times and higher power delivered to inductor-gear wheel system should be applied.

Keywords

Induction surface hardening critical temperatures,hardness tempered martensite

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