Case hardening 12L14 is like putting lipstick on a PIG. THe above comments about sub surface yielding potenail are absolutely true. THe case can only support what the substrate can withstand w/o yielding and 12L14 ain't very robust - it rusts, it sinks and it's magnetic.
We don't know why the end user is spec'ing 12L14 but that's what they want. It may suck but that's what they want. ANYTHING BUT 12L14 could/would be better but (see post #5).
From what I went thru this past week trying to make the part better than what the client wants/needs, the best thing to do is to follow a very precise MIL spec.
MIL TFP 4.1 which translates into
"Make it like the frigging print for once" |