Fixing element comprising a low-alloyed steel and process for the production thereof

Abstract

A fixing element which comprises carbon-bearing steel and has a hardened functional tip is overall heated to the austenitisation temperature, held at that temperature and then quenched and is then subjected to an annealing operation which is effected by inductive heating and limited to the region of the fixing element, which lies outside the functional tip. In that way the structure of the fixing element comprises in part martensite and in part annealed martensite, wherein the functional tip comprises throughout martensite and the remainder of the fixing element comprises a martensite which is annealed by short-term inductive heating.

1 - 9 . (canceled)  
   
   
       10 . A fixing element which comprises a carbon-bearing steel and has a hardened functional tip and whose structure comprises in part martensite and in part annealed martensite, wherein the functional tip comprises martensite throughout and the remainder of the fixing element comprises a martensite annealed by short-term inductive heating to a temperature above annealing brittleness.  
   
   
       11 . A fixing element according to  claim 10 , wherein an edge region at least of the functional tip is case-hardened as a result of recarburisation or carbonitriding.  
   
   
       12 . A fixing element according to  claim 10 , wherein the fixing element is a screw and the functional tip is a screwthread-forming and possibly hole-forming shaping zone.  
   
   
       13 . A fixing element according to  claim 10 , wherein the fixing element is a firing nail or setting bolt.  
   
   
       14 . A fixing element according to  claim 10 , wherein the fixing element is a rivet, in particular a stamping rivet.