Cases of Damage on Heat-Treated Components – not always a Heat Treatment Problem

Abstract

Abstract When damage occurs on heat-treated components, it is initially frequently assumed that errors occurred during the heat treatment process. It could be confirmed in the course of many damage case investigations that, in principle, this might be true. However, it could also be shown that a much larger number of damage cases is caused by latent defects hidden in the component in which case the heat treatment only reveals these defects. During the heat treatment, heat and transformation stresses are unavoidable. Defects will subsequently also occur during manufacturing, after the heat treatment process, and owing to improper application conditions. Damage analysis thus not only requires a reliable measurement and examination technology but also extensive experience with materials, heat treatment procedures, and fields of application.