Traditional Services
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Carburizing
Carburizing is a surface or case hardening process normally applied to low-carbon steel alloys. During processing, carbon is diffused into the surface of the parts at elevated temperatures. Hardening occurs to this “carburized case” by quenching in oil from above the transformation range resulting in a hard surface for wear resistance and a soft core for ductility.
Benefits:
- Hard and high wear resistance surface
- Deep case depth potential
- Improves durability
Carbonitriding
Carbonitriding is a modified form of gas carburizing in which ammonia is added to the carburizing atmosphere. Thus, both carbon and the nitrogen from the ammonia are diffused into the steel simultaneously. The diffusion of carbon results in a high carbon surface while the nitrogen provides extra hardness. Carbonitriding produces a shallower case and is well suited for plain, low-carbon steels.
Benefits:
- Improves fatigue resistance
- High surface hardness and tough core with low cost material
- Improves wear resistance
Thru Hardening/Quench & Temper
Thru hardening/Quench & Temper is for hardening medium carbon alloy steel. This consists of heating the parts to a temperature above the transformation range and rapid cooling to room temperature, usually using an oil quench. This may be performed in air or in a controlled atmosphere to protect the part’s surface. Parts are then reheated to a lower temperature to temper to the desired final hardness range.
Benefits:
- Improves strength and hardness
- Controllable specific mechanical properties
- Same hardness throughout part
- Increases lifespan of part
Age/Precipitation Hardening
Age/Precipitation Hardening is performed after solution treating of precipitation hardening (PH) grades of stainless steel. When PH stainless steels are heated between 900ºF and 1200ºF, secondary phase particles precipitate out of the previously formed solid solution. These particles serve as a strengthening and hardening mechanism.
Annealing
Annealing is a treatment of steel by heating above the transformation temperature, holding long enough for the necessary changes to occur, and then furnace cooling to room temperature using a controlled cooling rate. The steel is heated in order to produce enough energy to break bonds and diffuse atoms within the metal, allowing the material to reform and realign displacements. This process softens the metallic materials and is done to improve ductility and reduce brittleness.
Cold Treatment
Cold Treatment is performed by exposing heat treated material to a subzero temperature, typically between -80ºF and -120ºF. This process reduces or eliminates the amount of retained austenite from the quenching process by transforming it to a martensitic state. Cold Treatment results in increased strength, dimensional stability, and relief of stress.
Magnetic Particle Inspection (Magnaflux)
Magnetic Particle Inspection is a non-destructive testing method used for the detection of defects in ferrous materials, also known by the trade names MagnaGlow or MagnaFlux. This method is performed by creating a magnetic current within steel or iron parts. Fluorescent particles align along surface or shallow subsurface defects and are detected under black light.
Normalizing
Normalizing is the treatment of steel by heating above the transformation temperature, holding for a certain time, and then cooling to room temperature in still or slightly agitated air. This is done to remove processing stress and provide a more uniform structure.
Solution Annealing
Solution Annealing is a process in which steel is heated above 1950°F and held at this rate, allowing the free carbides to go into solution. The metal is then cooled rapidly in order to prevent the carbon from coming out of solution. Solution Annealing results in a more corrosion resistant and formidable material.
Stress Relieve
Stress Relieve is a process using controlled heating and cooling to relieve machining or welding stress from large parts or weldments. Time and temperature relationships are developed based on prior hardness requirements or by the size and complexity of weldments. Stress Relieve will minimize part distortion during subsequent heat treatment or while in service.
Vacuum Annealing
Vacuum Annealing is a process in which the metal’s surface is protected from the chemical reactions with gases that typically happen in the conventional process atmosphere.
Vacuum Hardening
Vacuum Hardening is a process in which the metal’s surface is able to avoid the negative consequences that result from exposure to the gaseous atmosphere typical of conventional hardening treatments.
Tempering/Drawing
Tempering/Drawing is a softening process of ferrous alloys or metals. Typically, this procedure follows another form of heat treat process (i.e. UltraGlow®Induction Hardening, Carburizing, Carbonitriding, etc.) and brings the material back to its respective target hardness specification. This process allows the part to maintain its toughness, strength and ductility.