Advanced workpiece materials

Heat treatment

Heat treatment is a controlled process in which a steel is heated and cooled. A heat treatment process is carried out for the following reasons;

- To change the physical properties of a steel.

- To change the mechanical properties of a steel.

Heat treatment processes can offer the following;

- An increase in the strength of a steel.

- Improvements in machinability.

- Improvements in formability.

- Restore ductility (after cold forming).

- Relieve stresses within a steel.

 

Normalizing and annealing are used to soften a steel.

Quenching and tempering are used to harden a steel.

- Click on the links to read more!