Computation-Based Analysis of the Methods of Hardening of Gears from Heat-Resistant Steels

A mathematical model is developed for estimating the contact fatigue of gears subjected to various kinds of thermochemical treatment. The model includes design of the contact stress state and of the loading capacity of the diffusion layer. The ranges of application of vacuum carburizing, vacuum carbonitriding, and ion nitriding for hardening gears with various geometrical parameters are determined.