Hi,
I am a novice to your site, but would like to ask a question regarding heat treatment of steels.
We currently machine high volume 12L14 & 11L17 steel components for use in hydraulic cartidge valves. We have made these close tolerance parts for many years for our customer. Last year our customer changed its internal heat treat process by switching gases (I do not know what gas they are using).
Since the switch they appear to have had problems with substantial growth and distortion on the parts which has caused additional problems for them in their diamond honing processes. They are starting to point their finger to us saying that we have 'dull' cutting tools that are imparting stresses that are causing the problems that they encounter 'after' heat treatment. Our parts are in tolerance when received by the customer.
Do you have any sources that may refer to growth patterns when steels such as we are machining are case-hardened? I would like to do some reading on this topic before the proverbial 'sh-t' hits the fan.
Thanks in advance.
Bob Ducanis Marshall Manufacturing Corp. Cape Canaveral, FL