Preliminary investigations to determine the optimal heat treatment process parameters have been successfully completed. Insights gained enabled TOPGEAR to demonstrated that the combination of vacuum carburising & new quenching approach allows to achieve the same or even better performance values of hardened low-alloy steel compared to the state-of-the-art heat treatments (vacuum carburising & high-pressure gas quenching). This is quite a step-change TOPGEAR has achieved considering potential savings in procurement costs (purchasing) in future industrial application.

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​Currently, special test specimens are case-hardened to determine the heat-treated properties. These are test specimens for frictional resistance, notched bar impact strength and mechanical machinability. These are being scientifically evaluated by the consortium partners.