Heat treatment is the process of heating and cooling metals to change their microstructure and to bring out the physical and mechanical characteristics that make metals more desirable. Let’s take a look at the heat treating process as well as some examples of heat treating, such as heat treating baskets.
What is Heat Treatment?
Heat treatment occurs when a metal is heated and then cooled in order to change its shape and structure. The temperature metals are heated to and the rate of cooling after heat treatment can significantly change metal's properties. The most common reasons metals undergo heat treatment are to improve their strength, hardness, toughness, ductility and corrosion resistance.
Annealing
Annealing is a form of heat treatment that brings a metal closer to its equilibrium state. It softens metal, making it more workable and providing for greater ductility. With annealing, the metal is heated to a higher temperature than normal before being slow-cooled.
Quench Hardening
Quenching is a heat treatment method that quickly returns metal to room temperature after it is heated above its upper critical temperature. This method is less expensive than annealing and stops the cooling process from altering the metal's microstructure.
Precipitation Hardening
Precipitation hardening is also known as age hardening. It is a heat treatment process that creates uniformity in a metal's grain structure.
Are You Looking for Heat Treating Baskets?
At Ferralloy, we offer heat treating baskets for any project you might need. Contact us today to learn how we can help you with your next project.
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