What is Air Hardening in Welding?
Air hardening is a characteristic of steel that causes it to partially or fully harden when cooled in the air from above its critical point. This is not always the case when the object to be welded has considerable thickness. When air hardening occurs, it makes the steel more resistant to wear and tear and better able to withstand high impact forces. This makes it an ideal choice for welding applications that require strength and durability. Air hardening also gives steel greater resistance to corrosion and oxidation, making it ideal for outdoor or saltwater applications.
How does air hardening work?
When air-hardening occurs, the steel becomes more resistant to corrosion and oxidation, due to the formation of a harder oxide layer on the surface of the metal.
What are the benefits of air hardening?
- The main benefit of air-hardening is that it increases the strength and durability of steel.
- Additionally, air-hardening gives steel greater resistance to corrosion and oxidation.
What are the drawbacks of air-hardening?
- One of the main drawbacks of air hardening is that it can make steel more brittle. This makes it more susceptible to breakage under high-impact forces.
- Additionally, air-hardening can make steel more difficult to work with, as it requires special heat treatment methods to achieve the desired results.
All in all, air hardening is a great way to increase the strength and durability of steel.
Can A2 be case hardened?
A2 tool steel can be case hardened, but it does not air hardenable. A2 is low carbon steel with good wear resistance and toughness. It is often used for tools, dies, and machined parts. Case hardening will make the surface of the A2 harder, but the core will remain soft. This makes A2 ideal for applications where high wear resistance is needed, but the part must still be able to absorb shock without breaking.
Related Links
Air Hardening Steel | Byington Blades
Air-hardening Steel | Definition of Air-hardening Steel
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