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US 2016/0245367 A1Published application
Chain element
AssigneeSchaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
InventorMonir ASGAR POUR KHEZER ABAD
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is a chain element (2), in particular for a power transmission chain of a chain drive, made of a carbon-containing material, especially steel, characterized by a core layer (5) that has a ferritic matrix structure including at least one hard phase that is distributed therein, and a hardened peripheral layer (6) that has a martensitic structure.
Claims18
1-10. (canceled)
11:
- A chain element made of a carbon-containing material, the chain element comprising:
- a core layer having a structure made of a ferritic matrix with at least one hard phase distributed therein;
- and
- a hardened peripheral layer having a martensitic structure.
1 more element
12:
- The chain element as recited in claim 11 wherein the martensitic structure of the hardened peripheral layer includes martensite.
13:
- The chain element as recited in claim 11 wherein the martensitic structure of the hardened peripheral layer consists of martensite.
14:
- The chain element as recited in claim 11 wherein the hardened peripheral layer is formed with the aid of a martensitic transformation of at least the areas of the chain element near the surface.
15:
- The chain element as recited in claim 11 wherein the hard phase distributed in the core layer includes martensite.
16:
- The chain element as recited in claim 11 wherein the hard phase distributed in the core layer consists of martensite.
17:
- The chain element as recited in claim 11 wherein the hardened peripheral layer has a hardness of 600 HV to 1,800 HV.
18:
- The chain element as recited in claim 17 wherein the hardened peripheral layer has a hardness of more than 1,000 HV.
19:
- The chain element as recited in claim 11 wherein the chain element is a chain link or a chain sleeve or a chain stud.
21:
- The chain element as recited in claim 11 wherein the carbon-containing material is steel.
22:
- A transmission chain of a chain drive comprising the chain element as recited in claim 11.
23:
- A method for manufacturing a chain element made of a carbon-containing material, the chain element including a core layer having a structure made of a ferritic matrix with at least one hard phase distributed therein, and a hardened peripheral layer having a martensitic structure, the method comprising:
- providing a chain element made of a carbon-containing material;
- heating the chain element to and holding the chain element at a temperature above the austenitization temperature in such a way that a uniform austenite phase is formed;
- carrying out at least one measure for introducing carbon into areas of the chain element near the surface;
- and
- quenching the chain element in such a way that a core layer is formed, the core element having a structure made of a ferritic matrix with at least one hard phase distributed therein and a hardened peripheral layer having a martensitic structure.
3 more elements
24:
- The method as recited in claim 23 wherein the chain element is heated to a temperature in a range between 830° C. and 1,000° C.
25:
- The method as recited in claim 24 wherein the chain element is heated to a temperature above 830° C.
26:
- The method as recited in claim 23 wherein the chain element is held at the temperature above the austenitization temperature for 10 to 60 minutes.
27:
- The method as recited in claim 23 wherein the chain element is quenched down to a temperature in the range between 0° C. and 400° C.
28:
- The method as recited in claim 27 wherein the chain element is quenched down to a temperature in the range between 25° C. and 300° C.