Advantages and Disadvantages of Flame Hardening

Advantages and Disadvantages of Flame Hardening Points : Advantages and Disadvantages of Flame Hardening Advantages

1. The process is simple.
2. A large number of steels could he flame-hardened.
3. Flame hardening can be done of any shape like flat, circular, irregular shapes, etc.
4. Very large forgings and castings can be flame hardened where other methods, even induction hardening fails or arc uneconomical.
5. Mass distortion is absent.
6. The equipment cost is much less than for induction hardening.
7. It is Laser than carburizing or nitriding etc.
8. The flame could be directed to harden sections deep inside components.
9. Wider depth of hardening can he obtained.
10. It is cheaper if only a few parts are to he surface hardened as compared to induction hardening.
11. Selective hardening is easily obtained.
12. Cheaper steels could he used.

Disadvantages

1. It is difficult to control exactly the temperature of heating of the component.
2. Overheating of surface layers may take place.
3. As coarse martensite (due to overheating) may be present, the quality of case is relatively poor.
4. The cost per piece on a mass scale production is higher than in the induction hardening.
5. It is difficult to adjust the case depth exactly.
6. Explosive fuel gases have to be used cautiously.
7. Some oxidation or decarburization may occur as compared to induction hardening.