US 11,746,393 B2
Metallic components with enhanced mechanical strength through surface mechanical grinding
Jie Ding, Liaoning (CN); Qiang Li, Ames, IA (US); Zhongxia Shang, Lafayette, IN (US); and Xinghang Zhang, West Lafayette, IN (US)
Assigned to Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette, IN (US)
Filed by Purdue Research Foundation, West Lafayette, IN (US)
Filed on Apr. 27, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/730,557.
Application 17/730,557 is a division of application No. 16/774,925, filed on Jan. 28, 2020, granted, now 11,319,606.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/798,544, filed on Jan. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2022/0251674 A1, Aug. 11, 2022
Int. Cl. C21D 7/08 (2006.01); B24B 1/00 (2006.01); B23D 61/02 (2006.01)
CPC C21D 7/08 (2013.01) [B23D 61/026 (2013.01); B24B 1/00 (2013.01)] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of strengthening a component made of a metallic material, the method comprising:
subjecting a component made of steel to a mechanical grinding process incorporating a relative motion between a tool made of tungsten carbide (WC) and the component made of steel, wherein a gradient structure formed on the surface of the component made of steel, resulting in a tensile strength of the component made of steel greater than the tensile strength the component made of steel prior to being subjected to the mechanical girding process.