Graduate School of
Science and Engineering

At present, there is a growing demand for higher strength and enhanced functionality in components and structural materials used in transportation equipment and infrastructure systems, driven by societal needs.

In our laboratory, we aim to develop novel process technologies by combining surface modification techniques such as heat treatment and shot blasting to address these challenges.

As examples of our research, we propose soft particle peening using particles softer than the substrate material, as well as a hetero-surface controlled carburizing and quenching process designed to reduce distortion in carburized components.

In the development of these processes, we conduct not only experimental analyses, including observations of the crystal structure of metals, but also evaluations based on numerical simulations.

The figure below shows the surface hardness distribution of SCM420 steel treated by the hetero-surface controlled carburizing and quenching process. By controlling the shape and distribution of the hard and soft regions, the goal is to achieve distortion reduction during carburizing and quenching.