Method for heat treatment of a metal component

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for heat treating a metal component. The invention relates in particular to an application in the partial hardening of optionally pre-coated components made of high-strength manganese-boron steel. With the method, at least one first sub-region of the component is convectively cooled by means of at least one nozzle, which discharges a fluid stream to the first sub-region so that a temperature difference of at least 100 K is set between the at least one first sub-region and at least one second sub-region of the component, wherein the at least one nozzle is operated with a positive pressure of at least 2 bar.

1 . A method for heat treating a metal component, wherein the method comprising: convectively cooling at least one first sub-region of the component by means of at least one nozzle discharging a fluid stream toward the first sub-region, so that a temperature difference of at least 100 K is set between the at least one first sub-region and at least one second sub-region of the component, the at least one nozzle being operated at a positive pressure of at least 2 bar. 
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising, prior to cooling, heating at least the at least one first sub-region of the component by at least 500 K. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising, after cooling, heating at least the at least one first sub-region of the component by at least 100 K. 
     
     
         4 . A method for heat treating a metal component, comprising at least the following steps:
 a) heating the component in a first furnace;   b) moving the component into a temperature control station;   c) convectively cooling at least one first sub-region of the component in the temperature control station by means of at least one nozzle discharging a fluid stream toward the first sub-region, wherein a temperature difference is set between the at least one first sub-region and at least one second sub-region of the component, and wherein the at least one nozzle is operated at a positive pressure of at least 2 bar.   
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , the method furthermore further comprising at least the following steps:
 d) moving the component from the temperature control station into a second furnace; and   e) heating at least the at least one first sub-region of the component in the second furnace by at least 100 K.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 4 , further comprising at least the following steps:
 f) moving the component from the temperature control station or from the second furnace into a press hardening tool; and   g) forming and cooling the component in the press hardening tool.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the component is heated in step a) to a temperature below the Ac3 temperature. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the component is heated in step a) to a temperature above the Ac3 temperature. 
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one first sub-region is cooled in step c) by way of convection to a temperature below the Ac1 temperature. 
     
     
         10 . Use of at least one nozzle operated at a positive pressure of at least 2 bar for convectively cooling at least one first sub-region of a metal component so that a temperature difference of at least 100 K is set between the at least one first sub-region and at least one second sub-region of the component.