Case Hardening
Glossary · Materials & Heat Treatment
At a glance
- Category /
- Materials & Heat Treatment
- Also called /
- carburizing, nitriding
- Related /
- 2 terms
- Source /
- Written in the shop
Case hardening produces a hard outer layer on a part while leaving the core relatively soft and tough.
Also called: carburizing · nitriding
In practice
Carburizing adds carbon to the surface of a low-carbon steel before hardening; nitriding diffuses nitrogen in at lower temperature and distorts the part far less. 8620 is a common carburizing grade.
Why it matters
It gives wear resistance where the part rubs and toughness where it has to absorb shock. The catch is that the case is thin — grinding or machining a case-hardened surface after treatment can cut straight through it and leave soft steel exposed.
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