Method and apparatus for surface hardening a component, which is made of an intermetallic compound at least in the region of the surface to be hardened

Abstract

A method and apparatus for surface hardening a component, particularly an aircraft construction component, is disclosed. A force is applied to the surface of the component, which is made of an intermetallic compound at least in the region of the surface to be hardened. The component is heated at least in the region that is made of the intermetallic compound to a temperature higher than the standard temperature. The temperature is set such that a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the temperature is increased compared to a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the standard temperature. The apparatus includes a hardening tool and a heating device where the component is heated to a temperature higher than the standard temperature and the temperature is set such that a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the temperature is increased compared to a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the standard temperature.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.