Surface hardening by strain induced martensitic transformation

The hardness and fatigue strength achieved by strain hardening are normally noticeable lower than those attained by thermal or thermochemical heat treatments. Strain or deformation induced martensitic transformation of residual austenite can increase the strength achieved by mechanical surface hardening processes considerably. In this paper, an approach is presented where workpieces with a high content of metastable austenite are used for hardening the surface layer. The microstructure has to be sufficiently stable, in order to ensure that the material can be machined without being changed by strain induced transformation of the residual austenite. After machining, high Hertzian contact stresses are introduced by deep rolling, so that a strain induced martensitic transformation of the residual austenite takes place. At the same time deep rolling produces the surface finish of the part. By this method, a surface hardening without a heat treatment process within the production line can be realized. A conceivable use of this method could be the production of bearings or guideways.