Thermal Processes Hardening

Hardening

Hardening is a collective term for thermal methods aimed at creating a martensitic or bainitic microstructure in order to increase the hardness and strength of steel.

The thermal process consists of heating the steel to the hardening temperature (austenitizing), followed by cooling in a suitable quenching medium, selected with regard to the hardenability of the steel grade and the dimensions of the parts. Cooling can be carried out as direct quenching, step quenching, or bainitic quenching. Direct quenching is the most common hardening method. After hardening to a martensitic condition, tempering normally follows.
Ref. Steel and Heat Treatment – A Handbook (8.3)

Curing of composite materials is the process by which the material acquires its final mechanical and chemical properties as the polymer matrix solidifies and binds the fibers together. It is a critical step for the composite to become strong, durable, and suitable for practical applications.

Curing of prepreg means that the pre-impregnated fiber material (e.g., carbon fiber or glass fiber with epoxy resin) is subjected to heat and often pressure, causing the resin to transition from a partially cured state to a fully cross-linked network. This gives the composite its final mechanical and thermal properties.