INSPECTING HEAT TREATED

PARTS

TITLE:

INSPECTING HEAT TREATED PARTS

OBJECTIVE: When you have completed this Learning Element ,

you will be able to:
-

perform inspection methods in detecting

different heat treatment defects.

EQUIPMENT , MATERIALS , AND AIDS YOU WILL NEED

QUANTITY

UNIT

DESCRIPTION

piece

Hardened guide post

piece

Hardened Punch

piece

Hardened die

piece

Dial indicator with stand

unit

Surface plate

set

Dye penetrant

unit

tester

RELATED LEARNING ELEMENTS

INTRODUCTION
Die parts which undergo heat treatment are subjected to high temperature and then rapidly
cooled. With such thermal shock it is possible that die parts come out warped and distorted and
worse , cracked. In order to preclude additional cost through wasteful and useless machining
time , it is required to detects right after completing the heat treatment process.

THE MOST COMMON DETECTS OF HEAT TREATED PARTS ARE :

-Warpage

-Distortion

-Cracks

-Hard surface but has some soft spots

-Lack of hardness of surface

WARPAGE AND DISTORTION

1.

For flat parts , warpage can be easily

detected by laying workpiece on top
of the surface plate . Used the dial
indicator to find the wind on the
surface. Determine the amount of the
wind and find out if it lies within the
allowance provided.

NOTE :

2.

If not , consult your instructor

for disposition of said part .

For cylindrical parts , mount the said

part between the centers in a small
lathe and with the use of the surface
gage on the dial indicator , find
the out-of-straightness.

CRACKS

3. Surface of discontinuities such as cracks can be detected by the following methods:

3.1

Magnetic Particle Testing

This is very well known nondestructive inspection for detecting
the presence of flaws, cracks, and
other discontinuities that are open to
the surface but too fine to be seen
with the naked eye.

NOTE :

3.2

See L.E. on Magnetic

Particle Testing

Dye Penetrant Inspection

Dye Penetrant inspection is the best
method for finding cracks exposed to
surfaces of magnetic non-porous
materials . Her e, the penetrant
remaining in the crack after the
removal of the penetrant provides
the indication by contrast with an
unbroken background.

It is a process for finding discontinuities open to the surface in an essentially non-porous solid .It
is best adapted to inspection of all types of surface cracks , porosity , laminations , lack of bond
at exposed edges of joined materials.
The principles of the penetrant inspection is quite simple. It consist of three basic steps : (1)
application of the penetrant to the surface under inspection , (2) removal of excess penetrant ,
and (3) the application of a developer.

CHECKING FOR CRACKS

4.

Pre-clean and dry the surface to be inspected.

Drop penetrant using a medicine

dropper. Apply penetrant , allowing
sufficient dwelling time for the
penetrant to enter the discontinuities
through capillary action.

6.

Removing excess penetrant by wiping with cloth.

7.

Apply developer , to absorb or draw

the penetrant entrapped in the
discontinuity to the surface thereby
increasing flaw visibility.

8.

Inspect areas for presence of colored

penetrant.

HARDNESS TESTING

9.

The most common method of finding the hardness of heat treated parts is by means of the
Rockwell Hardness Tester . Basically , the increment in depth due to the increment in
load is the linear measure that forms the basis of Rockwell Hardness Testing .

FUNDAMENTALS

10.

The basis operation of the Rockwell Hardness Tester is as follows :

-

a small indentation by a diamond cone is first seated firmly by applying a minor

load of 10 kg.

with the indicator on the dial set at

zero , a major load of 150 kg. is then
applied to produce a deeper
indentation.

removal of load causes the indicator

to point hardness number at the C
scale .

USING THE ROCKWELL HARDNESS

TESTER

11.

Load 150 kg. weight holder behind

the tester.

12.

Set the diamond indentor.

13.

Set the work on the anvil .

14.

Elevate the work supporting the

anvil by turning the handwheel just
enough to set the workpiece on the
anvil near the indentor.

15.

Make initial indentions by elevating

the anvil with the workpiece against
the indentor. Stop raising the table if
the small indicating pointer indicates
the preload condition.

16.

Set the dial to zero and apply the

major load of 150 kg.

17.

Watch the indicating pointer until it

comes to rest; and then remove the
load by turning back the handle.

With the load removed , the

indicating pointer will now indicate
the Rc on the C scale .

LOCATING THE SOFT SPOTS

18

. Place 1 liter of warm water in a

container.

19.

Place 1 liter of muriatic acid in the

container.

21.

NOTE: Always pour acid on water ,

not t he other way
around.

NOTE: Use rubber gloves in

handling the workpiece .

22.
20.

Immerse the workpiece.

After (5) minutes , get the workpiece

and wash with water . Wipe dry .

Areas appearing as lighter gray

color are soft spots.