Case hardening steel bolts using sugar

[Minerva]

I was told this really works and the procedure is straightforward. Anyone try it and how were the results? -M

 

[TekViper]

what is the procedure? i have never heard of this.

 

[Minerva]

In simple terms the part is heated with a bunsen flame to red heat just where it glows in normal daylight perhaps a tad above cherry red. Sugar powder is sprinkled on the bolt as it gets rotated. Do this until the part is well covered ("coked" appearance) then allow to cool to room temperature without quenching. Use a wirebrush to clean up the part (threads, etc.) -M

 

[Howard]

It sounds a little imprecise to me.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Howard
It sounds a little imprecise to me.

Text
the sugar would provide the carbon or just use this

 

[Minerva]

Haha precision? That's what the DNC folks talk about. Surface hardening is different. Yes sugar is a great source of C. Interesting they speak of the quench method. -M

 

[Ronstang]

Are you trying to veryify all the questions you missed in Trivial Pursuit today?

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

you ask the weirdest questions.

 

[Minerva]

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
you ask the weirdest questions.

The weirdest questions are the ones that are never asked. -M

 

[Specop 007]

Originally posted by: Minerva

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
you ask the weirdest questions.

The weirdest questions are the ones that are never asked. -M

I dunno man, this is a pretty weird question.

 

[Ronstang]

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: Minerva

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
you ask the weirdest questions.

The weirdest questions are the ones that are never asked. -M

I dunno man, this is a pretty weird question.

Believe me, life can get much weirder and not necessarily in a good way.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: Minerva

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
you ask the weirdest questions.

The weirdest questions are the ones that are never asked. -M

I dunno man, this is a pretty weird question.

the only thing weird about (besides answering) is why bother when you can just about buy any grade you'll ever need from a bolt/screw place ..unless itsa custom then you wouldn't be fiddling around with a bunsen/sugar op ..

 

[TitanDiddly]

WTF? Any temperature hot enough to case harden steel will burn the sugar long before.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Originally posted by: ScrapSilicon

Originally posted by: Specop 007

Originally posted by: Minerva

Originally posted by: MikeyIs4Dcats
you ask the weirdest questions.

The weirdest questions are the ones that are never asked. -M

I dunno man, this is a pretty weird question.

the only thing weird about (besides answering) is why bother when you can just about buy any grade you'll ever need from a bolt/screw place ..unless itsa custom then you wouldn't be fiddling around with a bunsen/sugar op ..

exactly. one would have much use for anything beyond an A325 bolt under standard condiitions

 

[Minerva]

Sheesh do y'all live next to a hardware store? Some of us do live in the boondocks literally at the docks of the boone.

It's part of a real life experience called the jury rig. Some call it worse, I'll leave out the racial comments for the folks in Atlanta.

Sugar is C12H22O11. When burned that black stuff is carbon. Carbon actually is around long after steel has melted and run away so yes it will work.

Like I said using the proper part always works. Too bad most of the time one isn't available when needed. (but a butane torch is lol) -M

 

[Sukhoi]

Jeez obviously some of you in this thread aren't in mechanical engineering. This is the sort of stuff we do!

 

[Engineer]

<--- Works in a tool/machine building shop. Electrical side but they harden all kinds of steels in different ways. Some in house and some sent out.

Don't need no stinking torch when you've got a 3000 degree oven!

 

[Minerva]

Originally posted by: Engineer
<--- Works in a tool/machine building shop. Electrical side but they harden all kinds of steels in different ways. Some in house and some sent out.

Don't need no stinking torch when you've got a 3000 degree oven!

What about resistance heating? We have up to 6400 amps at 48VDC available. That's enough to burn a 33 mm thick anti roll bar in two with sparks flying everywhere. Fun but dangerous. -M

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: Sukhoi
Jeez obviously some of you in this thread aren't in mechanical engineering. This is the sort of stuff we do!

I'm studying that. For some reason I thought "case hardening" was "tempering".