Altering the properties of a metal requires the use of heat, or the removal of heat utilizing a quenching technique. Treating metal with heat, or cooling it after it is heated, can alter the following 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 every treatment is listed below:
Annealing
Annealing removes stresses or induces softness to improve ductility or formability, respectively. Common types of annealing include:
Bright annealing- Bright annealing is performed in a vacuum 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 simpler to cold roll or draw. It can also 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 really is typically performed to make metal easier to machine, or even to improve its dimensional stability.
Annealing occurs in a temperature selection 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 selection of 350�F - 1250�F.
Hardening
Hardening is really 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 conducted on alloys that harden because of age or the current presence of precipitation.
Hardening occurs in a temperature selection of 300�F - 2250�F.
Normalizing
Normalizing is performed on ferrous metals to improve their mechanical properties, or even to improve their response to the hardening process. Normalizing takes https://www.snntv.com/story/49019114/aisc-certified-structural-steel-fabricator-carolina-fabricators-inc-provides-advanced-time-critical-custom-metal-fabrication-and-machining-solutions in a temperature selection of 1600�F - 1800�F.
Stress 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 strain relieving process occurs in a temperature selection of 300�F - 1400�F.
Conclusion
The list above is a basic summary of heat treating processes provided by professional metal treatment services. When a company needs to alter the properties of metal pieces or assemblies, having them treated with these processes can bring remarkable cost savings in comparison to buying new components. For more info on the processes above and other metal working processes such as for example brazing, contact a metal treatment service today.