METHOD OF HARDENING STEEL ARTICLES AND DEVICE FOR ITS EMBODIMENT Russian patent published in 1999 - IPC

FIELD: thermo-chemical treatment of steel. SUBSTANCE: method includes heating of steel article to temperature of melting by reverse electric short arc with the help of disc carbon electrode, current intensity of 250-1000 A and moving the heating zone at speed of 6-10 m/min. In this case, electrode is cooled with liquid heat carrier. The device for embodiment of the method has current lead rotating electrodes and having on its ends heat exchanger in the form of hollow discs with segmental cutouts on the side of article location. Current lead is connected with electrodes by means of sliding contact which may change distance to article. EFFECT: intensified process due to intensification of surface heating and improved quality of article surface due to stabilized arcing of arc. 4 cl, 3 dwg