High-Performance Induction Hardening Solutions

Discover premium induction hardening machines and power supplies from a trusted Chinese manufacturer. We offer customized and ready-made solutions, ensuring reliability, efficiency, and superior performance for your applications.

    KEXIN Induction Hardening Machine

    KEXIN offers comprehensive induction hardening solutions to meet the diverse requirements of hardening, tempering, and annealing processes. With a versatile range of systems, KEXIN caters to surface and through hardening needs for various workpieces. Our prodcut is renowned for its flexibility.

    Our advanced induction hardening systems are specifically engineered for the efficient handling of irregular steel parts in automatic and semi-automatic production lines. These machines integrate key components, including induction heating power supplies, cooling systems, loading and unloading systems, and conveying mechanisms, ensuring smooth operation and consistent high-quality results.

    KEXIN solutions are built on proven mechanical designs that ensure high availability and reliability. The integrated in-line design significantly reduces lead times, making our systems ideal for industries that demand efficiency and precision. Whether your needs involve standalone systems or fully automated production lines, KEXIN delivers tailored solutions that excel in performance and reliability, ensuring optimal results for every hardening application.

    WHAT-IS-INDUCTION-HARDENING

    What is Induction Hardening?

    Induction hardening is a precise surface heat treatment process used to improve the wear resistance, surface hardness, and fatigue life of metal components. This method works by heating the surface of the part rapidly through an alternating magnetic field generated by a copper coil carrying high-frequency alternating current. The heat is generated via eddy currents and hysteresis losses, localized to the surface while maintaining the core’s original properties.

    After heating, the part is immediately quenched, typically using a water-based solution with polymers, transforming the structure into martensite, a significantly harder phase. This transformation imparts high surface strength while retaining a softer core, making the component both tough and durable.

    The Basics of Induction Hardening

    Induction hardening is a surface hardening process where a metal part is heated using induction and then rapidly quenched. This process causes a martensitic transformation in the quenched areas, significantly increasing the hardness and wear resistance of the part while selectively treating specific areas without altering the core properties.

    Induction Hardening Process

    1. Induction Heating
    The process begins by placing the metal part inside a water-cooled copper coil. A large alternating current flows through the coil, generating an intense and rapidly changing magnetic field. This magnetic field induces eddy currents within the workpiece, heating the surface above the transformation temperature through Joule heating. The heat is highly localized, ensuring efficient energy use and minimal distortion.

    This widely used process for surface hardening ensures that only the outer layer is transformed while the core remains unaffected, retaining the properties of the original material. The resultant case hardness typically ranges between 37 to 58 HRC.

    2. Immediate Quenching
    After reaching the desired temperature, the part undergoes quenching, typically in water, oil, or air. This rapid cooling transforms the surface layer into martensite, significantly enhancing its hardness and wear resistance while maintaining a tough and ductile core.

    THE INDUCTION HARDENING PROCESS
    Aluminum

    Boosting Component Strength and Longevity

    Many mechanical parts, such as shafts, gears, and springs, are subjected to surface treatments after machining in order to improve wear behavior. The effectiveness of these treatments depends both on surface materials properties modification and on the introduction of residual stress. Among these treatments, induction hardening is one of the most widely employed to improve component durability. It determines in the work-piece a tough core with tensile residual stresses and a hard surface layer with compressive stress, which have proved to be very effective in extending the component fatigue life and wear resistance.

    Benefits Of Induction Hardening

    Selective Hardening with Precision

    Induction hardening offers a targeted hardening process without the need for masking. Post-welding or post-machining areas remain unaffected, staying soft—a unique advantage that few other heat treatment methods can achieve.

    Minimal Distortion, Maximum Precision

    Unlike conventional methods, induction hardening minimizes distortion. For example, a 1” Ø x 40” long shaft with two journals (each 2” long) requiring hardening over a total of 4” length would experience significantly less warpage with induction hardening compared to hardening the entire shaft length. This precision ensures the integrity and usability of the component.

    Customizable Hardness with Tempering

    Post-hardening tempering allows fine-tuning of hardness levels as desired. This step reduces hardness and brittleness by tempering the martensitic structure, ensuring the component meets specific operational needs.

    Enhanced Strength and Fatigue Life

    Induction hardening creates a soft core with residual compressive stress at the surface, improving the part’s fatigue resistance and overall durability. This compressive stress arises from the hardened surface layer occupying slightly more volume than the core, resulting in a desirable balance of strength and flexibility.

    Superior Wear Resistance

    The direct relationship between hardness and wear resistance ensures that induction-hardened parts outperform softer, untreated components. Induction hardening significantly enhances wear resistance, particularly when the base material starts in an annealed or softer state.

    Cost-Effective Material Utilization

    Induction hardening allows the use of low-cost steels, such as 1045, known for its machinability, affordability, and ability to achieve hardness levels of 58 HRC or higher. Its low risk of cracking during treatment makes it a preferred choice. Other commonly used materials include 1141/1144, 4140, 4340, ETD150, and various cast irons, offering versatility and cost efficiency for a wide range of applications.

    Induction Hardening For Diverse Applicaions

    Induction Hardening for Steel Tubes

    Induction Hardening for Steel Tubes

    Gear Hardening by Induction Machine

    Gear Hardening by Induction Machine

    Induction Hardening for Steel Shafts

    Induction Hardening for Steel Shafts

    Surface Hardening of Steel Alloys

    Surface Hardening of Steel Alloys

    Induction Hardening for Gear Teeth

    Induction Hardening for Gear Teeth

    Induction Hardening for Metal Parts

    Induction Hardening for Metal Parts

    Induction Hardening for Metal Parts
    Induction Hardening for Metal Parts

    Materials Suitable for Induction Hardening

    Induction hardening is highly effective for a wide range of materials, particularly those with sufficient carbon content to support the formation of a martensitic structure. Ideal materials include:

    • Carbon and Alloy Steels: Medium to high carbon steels such as 1045, 4140, and 4340, with carbon content ranging from 0.40% to 0.45%, are especially well-suited for induction hardening.
    • Tool Steels: These steels benefit from improved surface hardness and wear resistance through induction hardening.
    • Stainless Steels: Martensitic grades are particularly effective for achieving high hardness and durability.
    • Cast Irons and Ductile Irons: Both materials respond well to the process, making them ideal for various industrial components.
    • Aluminum Alloys and Copper Alloys: Though less common, certain applications leverage induction hardening for these non-ferrous metals to enhance specific properties.
    • Nickel-Based Alloys: These materials can also benefit from localized hardening in specialized applications.

    Carbon and Alloy Steels

    Medium to high carbon steels such as 1045, 4140, and 4340, with carbon content ranging from 0.40% to 0.45%, are especially well-suited for induction hardening.

    Tool Steels

    These steels benefit from improved surface hardness and wear resistance through induction hardening.

    Stainless Steels

    Martensitic grades are particularly effective for achieving high hardness and durability.

    Cast Irons and Ductile Irons

    Both materials respond well to the process, making them ideal for various industrial components.

    Aluminum Alloys and Copper Alloys

    Though less common, certain applications leverage induction hardening for these non-ferrous metals to enhance specific properties.

    Nickel-Based Alloys

    These materials can also benefit from localized hardening in specialized applications.

    Industries Of Induction Hardening

    Induction hardening is a key process used in various industries to increase the hardness and wear resistance of metal parts. It is widely used in various industries:

    Automotive Industry

    Automotive Industry

    Induction hardening strengthens vital components like camshafts, gears, and axles, enhancing their durability and resilience against engine stress. This method extends the lifespan and reliability of automotive parts, thereby enhancing vehicle performance and safety.

    Aerospace industry

    Aerospace industry

    Induction hardening is critical for hardening components such as landing gear, turbine blades and engine parts to withstand the extreme temperature and pressure conditions during flight.

    Manufacturing

    Manufacturing

    It is used in the production of tools, dies and dies that require high wear resistance and durability. By utilizing induction hardening, manufacturers can significantly extend tool life and reduce maintenance costs, thereby increasing operational efficiency and productivity.

    FAQS

    01.Why should I buy an induction hardening machine?

    Induction heating machines are used because they offer efficiency, fast heating, safety, cleanness, and accurate control. They are the fastest method for hardening and heat treating, resulting in minimal distortion and a fine-grain microstructure. Induction heating is accurate, fast, repeatable, and efficient, making it suitable for precise or repetitive operations. It is a rapid, energy-efficient, flameless method of heating electrically conductive materials.

    02.How to choose the frequency of induction hardening machine?

    For different workpiece materials, sizes and shapes, the frequency will be different accordingly.

    Please send inquiry to us, we will recommend the optimal induction heating machine on your request.

    03.How to choose the cooling system for induction hardening machine?

    We will recommend the most suitable cooling system based on different heating requirements.

    04.Do I need to buy a cooling system separately for KEXIN induction hardening machine?

    Yes, you can prepare a water tank and a water pump to work as cooling system; Or you can directly prepare a cooling chiller.

    05.How long is the warranty period?

    We provide one-year warranty for the induction hardening machines. Even when the induction hardening machine is disorder or doesn’t work, you can send videos or photos to us, Our engineers will analyze and check out the problems, then provide the spare parts to you for replacement. And we provide life -long technical support and other assistance.

    06.What about delivery?

    We offer assistance on seeking best shipping way and suitable forwarder.

    Any loading port and any destination city address are both OK for us.

    07.What is your company: Trader or Manufacturer?

    We are manufacturer, not trader, warmly welcome to visit our factory and contact us.

    08.What are the typical applications of induction hardening?

    Induction hardening is commonly used for mechanical parts that require improved durability, including:

    • Shafts, gears, and camshafts
    • Bearings, spindles, and axles
    • Tools, springs, and stampings

    09.How deep can induction hardening penetrate?

    The depth of hardening typically ranges from 0.5 mm to 8 mm, depending on the material, frequency, and heating duration. Deeper hardening is achievable for specific applications.

    10. Can induction hardening be used on non-ferrous materials?

    Yes, but it is less common. Non-ferrous materials like aluminum, copper, and nickel-based alloys can undergo induction heating for specialized purposes, though they don’t undergo the same martensitic transformation as steels.

    11. Is tempering required after induction hardening?

    Tempering is optional but recommended in many cases to reduce brittleness and achieve the desired balance of hardness and toughness.

    12. How does induction hardening compare to case hardening?

    Induction hardening is faster and more precise, suitable for localized treatment. Case hardening, in contrast, uses a combination of heat and chemical processes to diffuse carbon or nitrogen into the surface, typically for batch processing.

    13. Are there limitations to induction hardening?

    • Limited to materials with sufficient carbon or hardenability.
    • Specialized equipment is required, increasing upfront costs.
    • Best suited for parts with simple geometries.

    14. What is the typical hardness achieved through induction hardening?

    Induction hardening can achieve surface hardness levels ranging from 37 to 65 HRC, depending on the material and process parameters.

    15. Can induction hardening be used for irregularly shaped parts?

    Yes, induction hardening is adaptable to irregularly shaped parts. Custom-designed coils are used to ensure uniform heating and hardening of complex geometries.

    16. Is induction hardening environmentally friendly?

    Yes, induction hardening is energy-efficient and does not require harmful chemicals, making it an environmentally friendly heat treatment process compared to traditional methods.

    17. How does induction hardening affect part distortion?

    Induction hardening causes minimal distortion due to localized and controlled heating. This makes it ideal for precision parts requiring tight dimensional tolerances.

    18. How does frequency affect the induction hardening process?

    The frequency of the alternating current affects the depth of hardening. Low frequencies penetrate deeper, while high frequencies focus on the surface. Selecting the right frequency ensures optimal results based on material and application.

    19. How does induction hardening improve fatigue strength?

    The process introduces residual compressive stresses at the surface, countering tensile stresses that lead to fatigue failure. This improves the component’s resistance to repeated loading.

    20. How does induction hardening compare to nitriding?

    Induction hardening is faster and provides deeper hardening layers compared to nitriding. However, nitriding offers superior wear resistance and is suitable for parts that don’t require high-impact strength.

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