Heat treating is the process used to impart special qualities to metals and alloys (hardness, strength, ductility, etc.). When heat and subsequent cooling are applied to metals in their solid state, the physical and structural properties (but not the chemical composition) of these metals are changed.

Different metals respond to treatment at different temperatures. Each metal has a specific chemical composition, so changes in physical and structural properties take place at different, critical temperatures. Depending on the temperature used, these changes can represent a change in grain size, increase in toughness, removal of internal stresses, or formation of a hard surface on a ductile core.

In addition to changes induced by heat, the rate and method of cooling have an effect on the structural properties. For example, in carbon steels, a rapid cooling will produce a metal with a hard structure, while a slow cooling will produce the opposite effect. Even small percentages of elements in the metal composition, such as carbon, will greatly determine the temperature, time, method and rate of cooling that needs to be used in the heat treating process.

Typical materials that are heat treated include: Aluminum Titanium Carbon steels Alloy steels Cast irons Tool steels Corrosion resistant steels Stainless steels

Heat treating facilities often use programmable controllers that set temperatures and cycle times and monitor the heat treating process to assure a homogenous, correctly treated product. Attention to detail should include on-going cost analysis that assures you the most economical approach with the highest standards of quality and delivery. For example, your project requirements may be met through both batch heat treating and continuous heat treating. By involving your heat treating job shop at the planning stage of your project, they also can recommend the best configuration, the best alloy and the best thermal process to meet your design requirements.

Heat Treating Quality Processes:

Through Hardening Neutral Hardening Martempering Austempering Gas Carbunizing Carbonitriding Fluidize Bed Heat Treating Carbon Restoration Gas Nitriding Vacuum Heat Treating Cryogenic Treating

Induction Hardening Flame Hardening Percipitation Hardening Aluminum Heat Treating Aging Stress Relieving Black Oxided Ferritic Nitro Carburizing Straightening Hot Straightening