Hardness assessment of induction hardened layers based on the analysis of eddy current signal

Abstract

The work concerns the assessment of the possibility of identifying changes in hardness of carburized and induction hardened layers using the eddy current method. The tests were carried out on three sets of samples, made of AMS 6414 steel, with different layer thickness, subjected to induction hardening and tempering in a wide temperature range, to obtain differences in layer hardness for each set. The samples of each set, with the layers with a hardness in the range of 760–920 HV, were subject to testes using eddy currents which consisted in the assessment of phase angle changes obtained as a result of the lift – off effect. Standard hardness measurements on the surfaces of the hardened layers were also carried out, and microhardness profiles were made on the cross-sections of the samples. The results of hardness measurements were subject to comparative analysis with the results of non-destructive tests and on this basis it was possible to identify changes in the hardness of layers, based on the results of non-destructive tests.