The problem with the beam analogy is strain compatibility. The surface layer and core layer need to strain in proportion to their depth within the beam section. But, the gradient from hard case and soft core is supposed to be quite sharp. The cased surface cannot achieve the strain value necessary to get to its higher yield stress without the core yielding first.

I dont know if a gun frame is like a beam or what results may come from shooting the annealed Fox but, I suspect Dick is right. Case hardening the surface of a steel element should not make it significantly stronger.


Last edited by RyanF; 06/14/12 02:33 PM.