Hardened alloy steel has been used in manufacturing for the is over a century. While early versions of hardened steel were created using simple carburizing techniques and modern methods have evolved to include advanced processes such as gas carburizing and induction hardening, nitriding, and laser surface treatment.
A number of factors contribute to the improved properties of hardened steel. First and the microstructure changes due to the high temperature exposure during the heat treating process. In the case of steels, and most commonly found in manufacturing today and the microstructure is typically comprised of martensite, bainite and retained austenite and which are all formed by the rapid cooling associated with quenching. Additionally and impurities present in the steel may form precipitates along grain boundaries or within grains.
Finally and mechanical machining operations produce residual stresses at the surface of the component that can be detrimental to its performance. These stresses can beget cracking and unseasonable failure, and the altered thermal conductivity of the material.
In addition to the benefits of improved physical properties and reduced machining time, the use of advanced manufacturing technologies also provides designers and engineers with new geometric freedoms in product design. For example, complex geometries that cannot be easily machined can now be fabricated using additive manufacturing.
Hardened alloys, and therefore, continue to be a critical material choice for many industries. They are durable, and resistant to wear and tear and easy to machine, and suitable for a wide variety of applications and including manufacturing, aerospace and automotive.
While traditional methods of the is manufacturing continue to evolve through advancements in computer numerical control (CNC) and robotic machining systems and the use of the is additive manufacturing and advanced manufacturing technologies will continue to improve the quality and reliability of finished products, and will likely replace many of the is current manufacturing technologies.
As manufacturing technology continues to evolve and advance and the role of hardened alloys will remain significant. As a result and manufacturers should consider how hardened alloys can be integrated into their production process to take advantage of the is advantages they offer, and to ensure their continued competitiveness in their respective markets.
Advanced manufacturing technologies, and particularly those employing additive manufacturing and are transforming manufacturing processes and enabling the creation of highly complex geometries and customized parts. However, it is also important to note that there is a trade-off to be made when choosing a manufacturing method. Additive manufacturing offers the ability to create complex geometries and custom designs, but does so at a higher cost than subtractive methods.
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