EN353 Case Hardening Steel Description
EN353 is a case-hardening steel specifically designed to provide a combination of high surface hardness and toughness in the core. It is commonly used in applications where components need a hard surface for wear resistance while maintaining a tough and resilient core. Heres a detailed description of EN353 case-hardening steel:
Material Composition
- Carbon (C) 0.18% - 0.23%
- Chromium (Cr) 1.00% - 1.30%
- Nickel (Ni) 1.00% - 1.50%
- Manganese (Mn) 0.60% - 0.90%
- Silicon (Si) 0.20% - 0.35%
- Sulfur (S) Up to 0.035%
- Phosphorus (P) Up to 0.035%
Properties
- Case Hardness After carburizing and quenching, EN353 can achieve a surface hardness of up to 58 - 62 HRC (Rockwell Hardness), providing excellent wear resistance.
- Core Hardness The core maintains a toughness and hardness of approximately 28 - 32 HRC, which ensures that the component can absorb shock and resist deformation.
- Tensile Strength Provides good tensile strength, typically in the range of 800 - 1000 MPa (megapascals), depending on the heat treatment.
- Impact Toughness Offers good impact toughness, making it suitable for components subjected to dynamic loads.
Applications
- Automotive Components Ideal for gears, shafts, and other high-stress components that require a tough core and hard surface for wear resistance.
- Engineering Parts Used in manufacturing components like axles, cams, and other parts where surface hardness and core toughness are critical.
- Tooling Suitable for tooling applications that require a durable surface with a tough interior.
Heat Treatment
- Carburizing The steel is carburized (case hardened) at temperatures around 900C - 950C (1650F - 1740F) to introduce carbon into the surface layer.
- Quenching After carburizing, the component is rapidly quenched (usually in oil or water) to harden the surface.
- Tempering Post-quenching, tempering is performed at temperatures between 150C - 200C (302F - 392F) to relieve stresses and achieve the desired core hardness and toughness.
Surface Finish
- Standard Finish EN353 steel is typically supplied with a standard mill finish, which can be further machined or ground to meet specific requirements.
- Custom Finishing Available in various finishes based on the needs of the application, such as polished or precision ground surfaces.
Dimensions
- Thickness and Width Available in various thicknesses and widths, customized according to specific project needs.
- Length Typically provided in standard lengths, with custom lengths available upon request.
Advantages
- Durability Provides a hard surface for wear resistance while maintaining a tough and resilient core.
- Versatility Suitable for a range of high-stress applications in automotive and engineering fields.
- Customizable Can be heat-treated and machined to meet precise performance specifications.
EN353 case-hardening steel is ideal for components that need a combination of high surface hardness and core toughness, making it suitable for demanding applications where both wear resistance and impact toughness are required.