This invention relates to a surface heat treatment method in a salt bath at low temperature, suitable for partially hardening the surface of a workpiece through heat treatment, including plating the surface of a workpiece with a first metal layer; partially peeling the first metal layer; heat treating the workpiece at a temperature of 400 to 500 C. for a predetermined period of time; and totally peeling the first metal layer. Thereby, low-temperature heat treatment is effective at heat treating the workpiece while minimizing deterioration of corrosion resistance.

A method for selective oxidation of a substrate. The substrate is disposed in a chamber. A hydrogen containing gas is introduced to the chamber. The hydrogen containing gas is directed through a filter to the chamber. The filter is configured to filter particles greater than about 1 nm. The chamber is pressurized to a pressure of about 250 Torr to about 800 Torr while maintaining the hydrogen containing gas in the chamber. The chamber is heated to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time while maintaining the hydrogen containing gas in the chamber. The substrate is selectively oxidized.

A method for selective oxidation of a substrate. The substrate is disposed in a chamber. A hydrogen containing gas is introduced to the chamber. The hydrogen containing gas is directed through a filter to the chamber. The filter is configured to filter particles greater than about 1 nm. The chamber is pressurized to a pressure of about 250 Torr to about 800 Torr while maintaining the hydrogen containing gas in the chamber. The chamber is heated to a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period of time while maintaining the hydrogen containing gas in the chamber. The substrate is selectively oxidized.

A universal joint or other vehicle driveline assembly includes an inner race, an outer race, and bearings positioned between the races. In some embodiments, the components of the universal joint that are in contact with the bearings are selectively processed to be harder than the other non-contact surfaces of the component.

A universal joint or other vehicle driveline assembly includes an inner race, an outer race, and bearings positioned between the races. In some embodiments, the components of the universal joint that are in contact with the bearings are selectively processed to be harder than the other non-contact surfaces of the component.

A maskless touch up tool having a faceplate and handle. The faceplate is placed on a surface for touching up of a coating on the surface. The surface may be on a rocket body. The faceplate may form a seal around a target region of the surface. The faceplate has an opening configured to receive a touch up coating therethrough for application of the touch up coating to the surface. The handle may extend away from the faceplate and be configured for gripping by a user. The tool may include a reservoir, or an attachment for an external container, configured to collect excess touch up coating from the surface. The tool may be used to touch up the surface coating without the need for masking of the surface.

A maskless touch up tool having a faceplate and handle. The faceplate is placed on a surface for touching up of a coating on the surface. The surface may be on a rocket body. The faceplate may form a seal around a target region of the surface. The faceplate has an opening configured to receive a touch up coating therethrough for application of the touch up coating to the surface. The handle may extend away from the faceplate and be configured for gripping by a user. The tool may include a reservoir, or an attachment for an external container, configured to collect excess touch up coating from the surface. The tool may be used to touch up the surface coating without the need for masking of the surface.

A maskless touch up tool having a faceplate and handle. The faceplate is placed on a surface for touching up of a coating on the surface. The surface may be on a rocket body. The faceplate may form a seal around a target region of the surface. The faceplate has an opening configured to receive a touch up coating therethrough for application of the touch up coating to the surface. The handle may extend away from the faceplate and be configured for gripping by a user. The tool may include a reservoir, or an attachment for an external container, configured to collect excess touch up coating from the surface. The tool may be used to touch up the surface coating without the need for masking of the surface.

A maskless touch up tool having a faceplate and handle. The faceplate is placed on a surface for touching up of a coating on the surface. The surface may be on a rocket body. The faceplate may form a seal around a target region of the surface. The faceplate has an opening configured to receive a touch up coating therethrough for application of the touch up coating to the surface. The handle may extend away from the faceplate and be configured for gripping by a user. The tool may include a reservoir, or an attachment for an external container, configured to collect excess touch up coating from the surface. The tool may be used to touch up the surface coating without the need for masking of the surface.

A maskless touch up tool having a faceplate and handle. The faceplate is placed on a surface for touching up of a coating on the surface. The surface may be on a rocket body. The faceplate may form a seal around a target region of the surface. The faceplate has an opening configured to receive a touch up coating therethrough for application of the touch up coating to the surface. The handle may extend away from the faceplate and be configured for gripping by a user. The tool may include a reservoir, or an attachment for an external container, configured to collect excess touch up coating from the surface. The tool may be used to touch up the surface coating without the need for masking of the surface.