Is it possible to work-harden non-ferrous metals without direct contact? I know induction hardening is used on ferrous metals, but would like to know if a technique exists for non-ferrous metals.
Asked
Active
Viewed 293 times
7
-
Depends on which non-ferrous alloys. Induction hardening (IH) isn't work hardening (WH). IH is the application of a electric field to produce heat which raises it the austenitic temperature which quickly cools to martensite. W H is the application of mechanical work to move the material along its stress-strain curve so that its yield strength is higher. – user2617804 Jan 09 '15 at 00:03
1 Answers
1
From this link I could find a few non-ferrous systems which show quench-induced or stress-induced martensite . Generally non-ferrous systems dont show this behaviour and they are hardened/strengthened by Precipitation hardening, work hardening, Solid Solution Strengthening.
Also work hardening is basically working/deforming the material plastically to strengthen it. So you can't work harden a material without contact. Induction hardening is used mainly for Case Hardening which is different from hardening(done to bulk of the material). So as long as the non-ferrous alloy is conductive and resistive , Induction hardening is enough for case-hardening.
And if it is hardening , the above mentioned methods are used for non-ferrous. Only the quenching/martensitic transformation is limited to limited systems.
Gowtham
- 1,261
- 7
- 21