Study on Torsional Strength of Induction-Hardened Axle Shaft

Induction hardening has been used to improve the torsional strength and characteristics of wear for axle shaft that is used to transmit driving torque from the differential to the wheel in automobiles. After the rapid heating and cooling processes of induction hardening are carried out, the shaft has residual stress and material properties change; this affects the allowable transmitted torque. The objective of this study is to predict the distribution of residual stress and estimate the torsional strength of induction-hardened axle shafts with residual stress. In this study, the finite element method is used to study the thermomechanical behavior of the material, and the results are compared with experimental results. The results indicate that the torsional strength of the axle shaft depends on the surface hardening depth and distribution of residual stress.