Case depth testing services from Applied Technical Services (ATS) allow manufacturers to evaluate the properties of metal materials and products.
Understanding Case Depth and Case Hardening
Case depth refers to the thickness of the hardened layer of a material, while case hardness refers to a material’s outer surface that is substantially harder than the core. Case hardening occurs when the outer surface of a material is significantly harder than the material’s interior.
There are various case hardening methods, including:
Carburizing
Carbon diffuses into the surface of a scorching metal. There are multiple carburizing methods, including:
- Liquid Carburizing
- Gas Carburizing
- Pack Carburizing
Carbonitriding
The material absorbs carbon and nitrogen in a gaseous environment, allowing the metal’s surface to develop a wear-resistant, hard surface.
Cyaniding
The material is heated in a bath of sodium cyanide, creating a thin layer of increased hardness over the material.
Flame Hardening
Metal is exposed to high-temperature flames and then quenched, hardening its surface.
Gas Nitriding
Nitrogen is added to the surface of a metal to develop a hardened surface.
Induction Hardening
A copper coil with a high level of alternating current hardens the surface of a material.
The Benefits of Case Hardening
Case hardening is advantageous for several reasons, including:
- Increases strength and durability
- Improves wear resistance
- Improves toughness and impact-resistance
- Extends the lifetime of a material
Applied Technical Services’ Metallurgy Lab
Our metallurgy lab provides dozens of metallurgy services, including:
- Failure analysis for various mechanical components
- Various hardness testing methods, including Brinell, Knoop, Rockwell, and Vickers
- Material identification
- Grain size measurements
- Reverse engineering
- Nondestructive testing
Our lab employs professional engineers, chemists, and metallurgists with decades of shared experience in various applications and professions.
About Us
ATS provides quality inspection, testing, and consulting services for national and international businesses. Since our founding, we have grown our service capabilities and knowledge base to support a wide range of industries, including:
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Construction
- Consumer Products
- Healthcare
- Insurance / Legal
- Manufacturing
- Power Generation
- Pulp and Paper
Contact Us
Please call +1 (888) 287-5227 or click here to request case depth testing and other metal testing services from ATS.

