![Sample our Engineering & Technology journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5933/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Engineering-Tech.jpg"})
Abstract
Combined heat treatments, also known as duplex or hybrid technologies, offer new structure/property relationships in layered matrix compounds. The treatment sequence is critical. There are within reach both properties and property gradients that are impossible to achieve using the respective single treatment processes alone nor by simple addition of the effects of the single processes. Good technical progress is given by the combination of thermochemical treatment with high energy beam surface hardening, in particular electron beam hardening. After a historical survey (milestones) of the combination of thermochemical with thermal (surface) heat treatment technologies, the paper deals with the principles of the combining electron beam hardening after nitriding and vice versa , electron beam hardening before nitriding and the effects on microstructure and properties. Typical examples of industrial application are discussed. In this field of heat treatment, further development is focused on combinations of high energy beam hardening (electron or laser beam) with hard coating.