DEVELOPMENT OF ELECTROLYTIC HEAT-TREATMENT IN AQUEOUS-SOLUTION

Conventional surface heat-treatment processes are carried out at high temperature, hence both the equipment and the operation costs are high . A review of literature available on electrolytic heat-treatment has been attempted. This paper introduces the development of an advanced s urface heat-treatment technique that can be operated at room temperatu re, with low cost and easy control, thereby improving its competitiven ess. This is an electrolytic heat-treatment method in aqueous solution , especially using pulse current as a new aspect in the area of surfac e-hardening technologies. The results obtained under this surface heat -treatment using pulse current are presented briefly in this paper, an d the advantages and disadvantages of the technology are also discusse d. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.