Effect of industrial surface finishes on heat treatment and surface engineering of steel

Abstract

The surface state of industrial parts is complex and effective heat treatment or surface engineering of such parts requires a precise knowledge of how the steel was produced and manufactured. During manufacturing a mechanical part will be subject to the actions of various tools, mechanical constraints and diverse: solids, liquids or gases. Current highly automated processes have introduced new materials and chemicals which change the characteristics of the surface and may generate defects or even scrap. A series of case studies is presented illustrating the problems arising from industrial processes and their solutions.