Carburizing: Carburizing is a heat treatment process used to increase the surface carbon content of a part by introducing carbon from an outside source. It is used to harden and strengthen the piece being treated.
Quench Hardening: Quench hardening is a process in which a steel part is heated to a high temperature, then rapidly cooled. This produces a hard, wear-resistant surface while maintaining good ductility of the core.
Annealing: Annealing is a heat treatment process in which a steel part is heated to a specific temperature, then cooled very slowly. This helps to reduce internal stresses in the steel, making it easier to work with.
Normalizing: Normalizing is a heat treatment process used to improve the strength, ductility, and hardness of a part. It involves heating the part to a specific temperature, then cooling in air.
Tempering: Tempering is a heat treatment process used to increase the toughness of a steel part. It involves heating a part to a specific temperature, then cooling quickly to lock in a desired hardness.
Austempering: Austempering is a heat treatment process used to improve the strength and wear resistance of a part. It involves heating the part to a specific temperature, then cooling it in a medium such as oil or water.
Heat Treatment: Heat treatment is a process in which a steel part is heated to a specific temperature, then cooled, in order to alter or improve its properties. Common variations are hardening, tempering, carburizing, annealing and quench hardening.
Marquenching: Marquenching is a heat treatment process used to improve the dimensional stability of a part. It involves heating the part to a specific temperature, then cooling it in a medium such as oil or water.
Induction Hardening: Induction hardening is a process in which a steel part is heated using an induction coil, then quenched in oil or water. It is used to produce a very hard surface, but can also damage the part if done improperly.
Cryogenic Treatment: Cryogenic treatment is a process in which a part is cooled to very low temperatures, usually near -300°F, in order to improve its strength and wear resistance.
Carbonitriding: Carbonitriding is a heat treatment process used to increase the surface hardness of a part. It involves introducing nitrogen and carbon into the part, then heating it to a specific temperature.
Nitriding: Nitriding is a heat treatment process used to increase the surface hardness of a part. It involves introducing nitrogen into the part, then heating it to a specific temperature.
Nitrocarburizing: Nitrocarburizing is a process in which nitrogen and carbon are introduced into the surface of a part. It is used to increase corrosion resistance, reduce friction, and improve wear resistance.
Case Hardening: Case hardening is a process used to increase the hardness of a parts surface, while still maintaining good ductility of the parts core. It involves heating the part, then surrounding it with a material such as carbon or nitrogen.
Heat Treating Fixture: A heat treating fixture is a device used to secure a part during heat treating processes. It is usually made of stainless steel, and is designed to maintain positioning accuracy.
Thermal Spray: Thermal spray is a process in which metal is melted and sprayed onto a part in order to improve its surface properties. It is used to increase wear resistance, reduce friction, and provide corrosion protection.
Atmosphere Boilers: Atmosphere boilers are used in heat treating processes to provide the required atmosphere. They are designed to maintain a stable temperature and partial pressure of oxygen.
Vacuum Furnaces: Vacuum furnaces are used to heat treat a part under a vacuum atmosphere. They are used to reduce negative reactions with the atmosphere during the heat treating process.
Atmosphere Control Systems: Atmosphere control systems are used to maintain the desired atmosphere conditions in a heat treat furnace. They usually include a vacuum pump, gas-handling system, and temperature and pressure sensors.
Charpy Testing: Charpy testing is a metallurgical test used to measure impact resistance. It involves striking a sample of the material with a hammer and measuring the energy absorbed.
Metallurgical Analysis: Metallurgical analysis is a process used to diagnose and understand the mechanical and metallurgical behavior of a material. It typically involves examining the microstructure of the material using a microscope or other specialized instruments.
Heat Treating Process Qualification: Heat treating process qualification is the process of verifying that a heat treatment process produces reliably consistent results. It can be conducted on a qualified laboratory furnace, and typically involves measuring the properties of the treated part.
