The performance longevity of slewing drives in demanding applications depends critically on material science and precision heat treatment. Bearing raceways typically utilize 42CrMo4 (AISI 4140) alloy steel known for its excellent hardenability and impact resistance. Through controlled carburizing processes at 920-950°C followed by oil quenching, surface hardness reaches 58-62 HRC while core hardness maintains 280-320 HB to withstand shock loads.

The worm gear components employ specialized material pairing:

• Worm shafts use case-hardening steels like 18CrNiMo7-6 or 20MnCr5, precision-ground after heat treatment to achieve surface roughness below Ra 0.4 μm

• Worm wheels utilize centrifugally cast G-CuSn12Ni bronze, producing a pore-free structure that increases fatigue life by 40-60% compared to sand-cast alternatives

Advanced surface treatments further enhance performance:

• Plasma nitriding creates diffusion layers 100-150 μm thick with surface hardness up to 1,200 HV

• Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings reduce friction coefficients to 0.08-0.12

• Deep case hardening to 2-4 mm depth prevents spalling under contact stresses exceeding 2,000 MPa

Quality verification includes ultrasonic testing for internal defects, metallographic analysis for microstructure evaluation, and X-ray diffraction for residual stress measurement, ensuring components meet stringent requirements for applications like offshore cranes and mining equipment.