Hi,
we've been asked to produce a gear blank approx 8mm OD from a material in the 416 range 17-4 cr es, I understand that it's 36 on the rockwell C scale. While it's feasible to produce the blank is the hardness prohibitive for the gear cutting? Alternativly as the blank is fairly presice, i.e. 5micron tolerance in the bore, is heat treatement without distortion pratical after machining?

Thanks.