Hardening steel is a process designed to improve its mechanical properties. There are a number of different hardening methods. An important process is case hardening, which is when the workpieces are carburized to give them a hard edge layer up to 4 mm thick, but their cores remain tough. The parts are heated to what is referred to as the tempering temperature and then quenched. This can be done using water, oil, molten salt, or inert gases.

Machining hardened steel places extremely high demands on the quality and condition of the cutting tools used. Regardless of whether you’re drilling, turning, or milling, machining hardened steels poses a technical challenge. As a recognized specialist, ZCC-CT also has the right tools for hard machining this class of materials in its portfolio.