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.

1 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A method for surface hardening a component, comprising the steps of:
 applying a force to a surface of the component in a region wherein the component is made of an intermetallic compound;   heating the component at least in the region to a temperature that is higher than a standard temperature; and   setting the temperature such that a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the set temperature is increased compared to a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the standard temperature.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the set temperature is over 80° C. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the ductility of the intermetallic compound is increased by at least 5% compared to the ductility at the standard temperature. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the intermetallic compound includes TiAl and/or is made of TiAl. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying a force includes shot peening or rolling or ultrasonic impact treatment. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying a force includes applying the force with a hardening tool, and further comprising the step of heating the hardening tool to a temperature that is higher than the standard temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the hardening tool and the component are heated to at least essentially a same temperature. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein the step of heating the hardening tool includes heating the hardening tool by an inductive and/or an electric heating device. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of heating the component includes heating the component by an inductive and/or an electric heating device. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the step of applying is performed in an inert gas atmosphere and/or with a pressure that is reduced as compared to a standard pressure. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the component is an aircraft construction component. 
     
     
         25 . An apparatus for surface hardening a component, comprising:
 a hardening tool, wherein a force is applyable to a surface of the component; and   a heating device, wherein the component is heatable by the heating device at least in a region of the surface that is made of an intermetallic compound to a temperature higher than a standard temperature and wherein the temperature increases a ductility of the intermetallic compound as compared to a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the standard temperature.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the hardening tool includes an armored hardening tool head. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 26 , wherein the armored hardening tool head is made of tungsten carbide and/or titanium nitride and/or boron nitride. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the hardening tool includes a peening chamber, wherein the surface is arrangeable within the peening chamber. 
     
     
         29 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the heating device is an electric and/or an inductive heating device. 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus according to  claim 25 , wherein the hardening tool includes a die-like hardening tool head.