Investigations of high-frequency induction hardening process for piston rod of shock absorber

The microhardness of piston rods treated with different induction hardening processes was tested. The experimental results reveal that the depth of the hardened zone is proportional to the ratio of the moving speed of the piston rod to the output power of the induction generator. This result is proved correct through the Finite Element Method (FEM) simulation of the thermal field of induction heating. From tensile and impact tests, an optimized high frequency induction hardening process for piston rods has been obtained, where the output power was 82%×80 kW and the moving speed of workpiece was 5364 mm/min. The piston rods, treated by the optimized high frequency induction hardening process, show the best comprehensive mechanical performance.