Replacing a large roll, shaft, gear or machine component because only its working surface has worn can be unnecessarily expensive. Where the material and geometry are suitable, flame hardening can strengthen selected wear areas while retaining the underlying core properties required by the component.
Alpha Detroit provides flame hardening for Campbellfield manufacturers, repairers and engineering businesses. Processing is completed at our Moorabbin facility using full, partial, spin or progressive hardening methods selected around the component and specified wear pattern.
Flame Hardening Capacity and Applications
| Specification | Published Capability |
| Large-roll capacity | Rolls up to 1,000 mm in diameter |
| Maximum lifting capacity | 20 tonnes |
| Treatment patterns | Full, partial, spin and progressive hardening where suitable |
| Published components | Rolls, shafts, sheaves, rope drums, slew rings, gears, sprockets, racks, rails, dies and moulds |
| Published materials | Alloy steels, plain carbon steels, ductile iron, cast iron and selected stainless steels |
| Final requirements | Hardness pattern, depth, tolerance and inspection criteria confirmed from the drawing and material specification |
When Flame Hardening Is the Practical Option
Flame hardening is most valuable when the component is too large for a conventional furnace route, only a defined wear surface requires treatment, or maintaining a tougher supporting core is essential. Targeting the treatment can also reduce unnecessary thermal exposure outside the working area.
The process is not automatically suitable for every steel or casting. Hardenability, carbon content, section thickness, existing condition and previous repair history must be reviewed before a treatment route is selected.
Large Rolls, Shafts and Rotating Components
Alpha Detroit publishes the capability to flame harden rolls up to 1,000 mm in diameter. The progressive-spin method can be used on suitable rotating components to develop a controlled hardened path around the working surface while retaining ductility and core strength.
Before quoting, we need the component diameter, length, weight, material grade, target hardness, required hardened zone and any areas that must remain untreated.
Sheaves, Rope Drums and Slew Rings
Load-bearing rope grooves and bearing surfaces can experience concentrated wear while the remainder of the component remains serviceable. Full or partial groove-area hardening may be specified where the material and component condition allow it. The required pattern should be shown clearly on the drawing rather than described only in an email.
Gears, Sprockets, Rails, Dies and Moulds
Flame hardening can also be assessed for gear teeth, sprockets, gear racks, guide rails, machine ways, dies and mould working areas. Selective processing can concentrate hardness where wear occurs without treating every surface. Existing cracks, repairs, thin sections and abrupt changes in geometry must be disclosed because they can affect process risk.
Information Required for Assessment
- Material grade and previous heat-treatment history
- Fully dimensioned drawing and component weight
- Target hardness and required hardened depth
- Marked hardening pattern and untreated areas
- Current surface condition and known repairs
- Machining or grinding allowance
- Inspection method and acceptance criteria
Service Access from Campbellfield
Campbellfield and Melbourne’s northern industrial corridor contain automotive, machinery, metalworking and heavy engineering businesses that regularly handle wear-critical components. Alpha Detroit serves this market from Moorabbin; the page must not imply that the company operates a Campbellfield workshop.
Request a Technical Assessment
Send Alpha Detroit your component drawing, material grade, weight and required hardening pattern for a flame-hardening suitability review.