Altering the properties of a metal requires the application of heat, or removing heat utilizing a quenching technique. Treating metal with heat, or cooling it after it is heated, can alter the next properties to various degrees: ductility, hardness, softness, stress, and tensile strength. To achieve one or more of these properties, a number of of the following treatments can be used: annealing, tempering, hardening, quenching, normalizing, and stress relieving. An overview of each treatment is the following:

Annealing

Annealing removes stresses or induces softness to improve ductility or formability, respectively. Common forms of annealing include:

Bright annealing- Bright annealing is performed in vacuum pressure furnace, bell annealer, or controlled atmosphere furnace to prevent oxidation. It really is typically performed on chromium alloys such as for example stainless steel.

Process annealing- Process annealing makes metal easier to cold roll or draw. Additionally, it may ensure it is more formable for bending applications.

Recovery annealing- Recovery annealing restores ductility and reduces stresses in cold worked metal.

Full annealing- Full annealing produces the softest, most stress-free metal. It is typically performed to create metal simpler to machine, or to improve its dimensional stability.

Annealing occurs in a temperature range of 300�F – 2250�F.

Tempering

Tempering reduces stresses and unwanted hardness due to quenching. It is often performed after quenching that follows brazing or annealing. The tempering process occurs in a temperature range of 350�F – 1250�F.

Hardening

Hardening is a heating treating process that improves the mechanical properties and hardness of metals. It is typically performed by means of “quenching.” Common hardening methods include:

Water quenching- Water quenching improves the strength and hardness of low and medium carbon steel.

Oil quenching- Oil quenching improves the strength and hardness of medium and high carbon steel.

Air quenching- Air quenching improves the strength and hardness of low and medium carbon steel while reducing the risk of distortion.

Age hardening- Age hardening is performed on alloys that harden due to age or the current presence of precipitation.

Hardening occurs in a temperature selection of 300�F – 2250�F.

Normalizing

Normalizing is conducted on ferrous metals to increase their mechanical properties, or even to improve their reaction to the hardening process. Normalizing takes place in a temperature selection of 1600�F – 1800�F.

Go to this site Relieving

Stress relieving relieves stresses in metal to improve dimensional stability and tensile strength. Common examples of stress inducers include: flame cutting, cold working, quenching, and welding fabrication. The stress relieving process takes place in a temperature range of 300�F – 1400�F.

Conclusion

The list above is a basic overview of heat treating processes offered by professional metal treatment services. Whenever a company must alter the properties of metal pieces or assemblies, having them treated with one of these processes may bring remarkable cost savings in comparison to buying new components. For additional information on the processes above along with other metal working processes such as for example brazing, contact a metal treatment service today.