The use of austenitic stainless steels is limited by relatively low hardness, lower wear resistance, and galling risk. These alloys cannot be through-hardened by conventional heat treatment without reducing corrosion resistance.
Hikelok SuperHASS ferrules create a strong mechanical grip on tubing.
SuperHASS increases the surface hardness of austenitic stainless steel without compromising corrosion resistance — and can enhance corrosion resistance after treatment.
Improvement of wear resistance
Prevention of galling
Full retention of corrosion resistance
Retention of non-magnetic properties
Improvement of fatigue strength
No addition of elements not already present in the base material
SuperHASS increases surface hardness of austenitic stainless steel to approximately 800–1200 HV 0.05 (comparable to 66–74 HRC).
Characteristics of SuperHASS-treated parts:
No change in shape or size
No change in surface roughness
No change in color
SuperHASS is unique to Hikelok twin-ferrule fittings — hardness ≥ 800 HV, case depth ≥ 25 µm, with no reduction in base stainless steel corrosion resistance.
Vickers micro-hardness (50 gf diamond indenter) provides accurate hardness at any depth from the OD toward the bore, unlike bulk Rockwell tests on thin-wall tubing.
