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DIFF Subgroup
C21D 1/18

Hardening (C21D1/02 takes precedence); Quenching with or without subsequent tempering (quenching devices C21D1/62)

Introduced: September 1968

Title

Titles differ between systems:

IPC: Hardening; Quenching with or without subsequent tempering

CPC: Hardening (C21D1/02 takes precedence); Quenching with or without subsequent tempering (quenching devices C21D1/62)

Full Title

Full titles differ between systems:

IPC:

General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering > Hardening; Quenching with or without subsequent tempering

CPC:

General methods or devices for heat treatment, e.g. annealing, hardening, quenching or tempering > Hardening (C21D1/02 takes precedence); Quenching with or without subsequent tempering (quenching devices C21D1/62)

Of 3 combined children, 2 exist in both systems.

1 codes are CPC-only extensions.

1 shared codes have differing titles between IPC and CPC.

IPC defines codes here since 1980.

Child Classifications

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  • C21D 1/185 CPC only CPC only
  • C21D 1/25 Hardening, combined with annealing between 300 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius, i.e. heat refining ("Vergüten") since 1980 IPC+CPC Available in IPC and CPC

Top Applicants

Top Applicants (IPC)

Class C21,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. JFE STEEL JP 7,470
  2. POSCO (POHANG IRON AND STEEL COMPANY) KR 4,615
  3. JFE STEEL 4,538
  4. NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION JP 4,536
  5. ARCELORMITTAL LU 2,597
  6. NSSMC (NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL) JP 2,241
  7. ANGANG STEEL COMPANY 2,126
  8. NSSMC (NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL) 1,783
  9. BAOSHAN IRON & STEEL COMPANY 1,620
  10. HYUNDAI STEEL COMPANY KR 1,545

Top Applicants (CPC)

Class C21,2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

  1. JFE STEEL JP 8,270
  2. NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION JP 5,222
  3. POSCO (POHANG IRON AND STEEL COMPANY) KR 4,824
  4. JFE STEEL 3,311
  5. ARCELORMITTAL LU 3,239
  6. NSSMC (NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL) JP 2,659
  7. HYUNDAI STEEL COMPANY KR 1,492
  8. ANGANG STEEL COMPANY 1,318
  9. BAOSHAN IRON & STEEL COMPANY 1,233
  10. KOBE STEEL JP 1,228