Effect of Inductor Design on the Hardness after Induction Hardening using Line Inductors

Abstract

Inductive surface hardening falls under the standard heat treatment of automobile drive train components. Wheel hubs, kingpins and various axle shafts will, for instance, be hardened. Two different inductor concepts are generally used for such processes: ring or line inductors. Many geometric boundary conditions must be taken into account when line inductors are used. The adjustment of the hardness transitions of a component includes the length of the inductor and also, for instance, the arrangement of the supply leads. The use of field concentrators will also have a significant effect on the result. This article deals with tests and numerical calculations for a sample component on which these effects were examined.