A. Goldsteinas, ECM, GRENOBLE, France

Summary: Low Pressure Vacuum Gas Carburizing (LPC) with High Pressure Gas Quenching (HPGQ) has received much attention recently. Within batch and batch to batch variability for case depth, core hardness and part distortion is a significant customer concern. A variable speed quenching process has been developed with results showing significant improvement in core hardness and distortion. Process development including extensive cooling curve analysis and component testing will be discussed.