case hardening steel

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How is this process carried out e.g on hydraulic shafts or anything that is subjected to wear or identation what equipment would be needed to do it, e.g could you use oxy/ acetylene like in a home shop, or would it require a big profesional  setup? thanks
Reply:In theory you could do it at home with torches but i would say a professional furnace is needed to get optimal and repeatable results. --Gol'
Reply:You could carburize a steel part using an oxy-fuel torch set to a reducing flame(excess fuel).  However the results won't be very predictable or repeatable.  I'd use this for simple hardening jobs, like axe blades, lawnmower blades, shovels, etc.  For anything else, your better off talking to a professional heat treater.  There are lots of different hardening processes.  A professional heat treater will be able to steer you to the right process for your needs.
Reply:I dont know about doing it at your house but I know hydraulic rods are usually induction hardened and then they get hard chrome plating.Whatcha fixin on?Yup
Reply:you can case harden small parts at home using casenite and a rosebud big enough to quickly heat the part. if you need hydraulic rod , you can buy 1045 chrome plated rod from cylinder repair components in alabama , or from mcmaster carr. This is not induction hardened, and relatively easy to machine and weld if you follow a few rules.Inductiot hardened rod usually is available from 3/4 and up. it will have between 1/16 and 1/4 thick deep hardened OD that is typically 60Rc and then hard chrome plated.   in the sizes larger than 1-1/2 you need either ceramic cutters or annealling the ends to machine/ weld. The supplieres will cut to rough length and anneal ends for a feeThere is also " nitro" rod, which is 1045 ground and polished and then nitrided.it will resist indentation better than all but very deep induction rod and it is easier to machineinsert thoughtful quote from someone else2000 Thermal Arc 300GTSW 3.5 hours1946 Monarch 20 x 54 Lathe1998 Supermax 10x54 Mill2004 Haco Atlantic 1/2" Capacity Lasernot mine but i get to play with it