Skip to content
USA - English
Search

Case Depth Hardness Testing

Case Depth Hardness Testing
Case depth is the thickness of the hardened layer on a specimen. Case hardening improves both the wear resistance and the fatigue strength of parts under dynamic and/or thermal stresses.

Hardened steel parts are typically used in rotating applications where high wear resistance and strength is required. The characteristics of case hardening are primarily determined by surface hardness, the effective hardness depth and the depth profile of the residual stress. Gears and engine parts are examples where hardening is used.

Effective case depth is the depth up to a further point for which a specified level of hardness is maintained.

Total case depth is the depth to a point where there is no difference in the chemical or physical properties.

Case depth testing often involves performing a series of hardness impressions from the edge of the specimen towards the center. The hardness progression is plotted on a graph and the distance from the surface to the hardness limit (HL) is calculated.

For more information, see our guide Selecting a Newage Microhardness Tester for Case Depth or contact us.