Introduction to the Classification of Hardening Machines

A hardening machine is a type of equipment used for the heat treatment of metals, primarily aimed at enhancing the hardness and strength of metal materials through the quenching process. This article will introduce several main categories of hardening machines from the perspectives of cooling mediums and heating methods.

Classification by Cooling Medium

Oil Hardening Machine

Uses oil as the cooling medium for quenching, suitable for metal materials that require relatively mild cooling. The cooling speed of oil is moderate, effectively reducing the cracks and deformation that may occur during quenching. It is commonly used for materials that require high hardness, low brittleness, and less deformation (such as alloy steel, some tool steels, etc.).

Water Hardening Machine

Uses water as the cooling medium for quenching. Water's cooling speed is very fast, suitable for metal materials that require rapid cooling. It is used for high carbon steel, some tool steels, etc., but due to the rapid cooling, it is prone to cracks or deformation, therefore, high requirements on the selection of materials and process control are needed.

Gas Hardening Machine

Uses air or other gases (such as nitrogen, helium, etc.) as the cooling medium. The cooling rate of gas lies between oil and water, suitable for materials that require relatively mild cooling rates. Gas quenching is commonly used for some high-precision parts or thin-walled parts, effectively reducing deformation and cracks.

Vacuum Hardening Machine

Conducts quenching in a vacuum environment, with the heating and cooling processes completed under low pressure or vacuum conditions. Vacuum quenching can avoid the influence of gases or moisture, suitable for some high-precision, high-value-added components (such as aerospace, aviation, precision molds, etc.).

Classification by Heating Method

Induction Heating Hardening Machine

Utilizes the principle of induction heating, rapidly heating the surface of the workpiece to quenching temperature through high-frequency current, suitable for smaller parts or localized heating quenching processes. It has fast heating speed and high precision, commonly used for localized quenching of gears, bearings, tools, and other components.

Furnace Heating Hardening Machine

Uses equipment such as electric furnaces and gas furnaces for heating, suitable for quenching large-sized or large-batch parts. The heating speed is relatively slow, but the heating is uniform, suitable for the requirements of overall quenching.