What does work hardening mean?

work hardening, in metallurgy, increase in hardness of a metal induced, deliberately or accidentally, by hammering, rolling, drawing, or other physical processes. Although the first few deformations imposed on metal by such treatment weaken it, its strength is increased by continued deformations.

What are work hardening exercises?

Work hardening is an interdisciplinary, individualized, job-specific program of activity with the goal of returning to work. Work hardening programs use real or simulated work tasks and progressively graded conditioning exercises that are based on the individual’s tolerances.

What is work hardening and work conditioning?

Work hardening refers to an individualized, highly structured and goal-oriented program designed to help an employee return to work with full capability. On the other hand, work conditioning refers to a goal-oriented and intensive program designed to restore musculoskeletal and neuromuscular function.

What does work hardening mean medically?

Description: Work hardening is a highly specialized rehabilitation program that is designed to restore functional and work capacities through the application of graded work simulation. This multidisciplinary program may include physical therapy, occupational therapy, counselors, and other rehabilitation specialists.

What causes work hardening?

Work hardening is a consequence of plastic deformation, a permanent change in shape. Work hardening occurs most notably for ductile materials such as metals. Ductility is the ability of a material to undergo plastic deformations before fracture (for example, bending a steel rod until it finally breaks).

Does stainless steel work harden?

Austenitic stainless steels tend to work harden at a rapid rate, but the cold working rate of 400 series stainless steel is slightly higher than that of the plain carbon steels. However, like low alloy and carbon steels, martensitic stainless steels can be hardened by thermal treatments such as quenching and tempering.

Who can perform work hardening?

Employees in work conditioning may participate in the program up to four hours a day. A physical therapist or occupational therapist oversees the work conditioning services but may coordinate the program with a physician and/or case manager.

What is the goal of work hardening?

The goal of work hardening is to restore an individual’s physical, functional, behavioral, psychosocial, and vocational skills in preparation for returning to the productive work force. The purpose of these guidelines is to provide a timely, cost effective process.

Can you work harden steel?

Nearly all steels can be work hardened to a small degree. Most wear steels are produced to a high hardness primarily through “heat treatment” (i.e.” as delivered” hardness level of 400, 500 or 600 Brinell) or BHN. They are very brittle and almost impossible to form and process before they crack.

Why does cold work increase hardness?

Cold Working: Because plastic deformation results from the movement of dislocations, metals can be strengthened by preventing this motion. As the number of dislocations in the crystal increases, they will get tangled or pinned and will not be able to move. This will strengthen the metal, making it harder to deform.

Can copper be work hardened?

Copper has a cubic crystal structure (Face Centered Cubic) that gives it high ductility. Bending the copper causes work hardening (or strain hardening) because working or straining the copper introduces defects, known as dislocations, into the structure.

Can gold be work hardened?

Karat golds will work-harden when rolled, drawn or forged. The more you reduce the thickness the harder the metal gets. Many silver alloys can be heat hardened. To harden, heat to 650°F (343°C) for 30 minutes, quench or air cool.

work hardening. a highly structured, goal-oriented, individualized treatment program designed to maximize a person’s ability to return to work. Work hardening uses work (real or simulated) as a treatment modality.

What does “hardening” affect?

Hardening has a minor effect on corrosion resistance where it just alters the appearance of the pits. They tend to spread in the form of ‘mole galleries’ when the metal is very strongly work hardened.

Does work hardening work?

Work hardening is a process that can help to reduce the potential for cracking along the surface of a strengthened metal or metal alloy. By employing the process, it is possible to use metals in the creation of devices that are designed to withstand a specific amount of load for a certain period of time.

How does work hardend steel work?

Cold rolling is the most common method of work hardening. This involves the metal being passed through pairs of rollers to reduce its thickness or to make the thickness uniform. As it moves through the rollers and is compressed, the metal grains are deformed. Examples of cold-rolled products include steel sheets, strips, bars, and rods.