Selective hardening of high carbon steel using an argon thermal plasma flame

Summary Form only given, as follows. Selective hardening of a high carbon steel using an argon thermal plasma ´flame´ has been studied experimentally. Cylindrical solid and hollow specimens were treated during this process by rapidly heating their central section to 870 degrees C, soaking them at 870 degrees C for 1.0 min, and then rapidly quenching them. All samples were continuously rotated during the entire process in order to promote uniform changes in temperature. A noncontact infrared sensor was used to monitor and facilitate temperature control throughout the process. The heat-treated specimens were sectioned longitudinally, polished, etched, and examined under a metallurgical microscope. Complete microhardness profiles were also determined for several of these heat-treated specimens.<>