METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SURFACE HARDENING A COMPONENT, WHICH IS MADE OF AN INTERMETALLIC COMPOUND AT LEAST IN THE REGION OF THE SURFACE TO BE HARDENED

摘要

The invention relates to a method for surface hardening a component (10), particularly an aircraft construction component, wherein a force is applied to the surface (12) of the component (10), which is made of an intermetallic compound at least in the region of the surface (12) to be hardened, wherein the component (10) is heated at least in the region thereof that is made of the intermetallic compound to a temperature higher than the standard temperature, wherein the temperature is set such that a ductility of the intermetallic compound at said temperature is increased compared to a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the standard temperature. The invention further relates to an apparatus (13) for surface hardening a component (10), particularly an aircraft construction component, using a hardening tool (14), by means of which a force can be applied to the surface (12) of the component (10), which is made of an intermetallic compound at least in the region of the surface (12) to be hardened, wherein the apparatus (13) comprises a heating device (24), by means of which the component (10) is heated at least in the region thereof that is made of the intermetallic compound to a temperature higher than the standard temperature, wherein the temperature is set such that a ductility of the intermetallic compound at said temperature is increased compared to a ductility of the intermetallic compound at the standard temperature.