Patent ID: 8597441
Filing Date: 2013-12-03
Classification: C21D

Abstract:
1. A method for producing partially hardened steel components, comprising: subjecting a blank composed of a hardenable sheet steel to a temperature increase that is sufficient for a quench-hardening by heating the blank in a furnace chamber; during the heating of the blank for the purpose of increasing the temperature to a temperature required for the hardening, resting at least one absorption mass against and/or spacing at least one absorption mass with a small gap apart from regions that are intended to have a lower hardness and/or higher ductility; providing shielding plates on one or more surfaces of the absorption mass that are oriented toward the furnace chamber, wherein the shielding plates shield the absorption mass from radiation emanating from the furnace chamber; after reaching the temperature required for the hardening, and optionally after a holding time sufficient for the hardening, transferring the blank to a forming tool; and forming the blank into a component and at the same time quench-hardening the component; wherein with regard to its expansion and thickness, its thermal conductivity, and its thermal capacity and/or with regard to its emissivity, the absorption mass is dimensioned so that thermal energy acting on the component in the region to remain ductile flows through the component into the absorption mass.