Heat Treating Specialties

ANNEALING (300 - 2250F) (148.89-1232.22 Deg C)

The purpose for this treatment is to remove stresses or soften the material
for improved mach inability or formability, alter the physical or mechanical
properties or produce a defined structure.

Process Anneal: (500 - 1400F) (260.00-760.00 Deg C )

Low temperature anneal typically used for material (ferrous or nonferrous)

that is going to be reworked via cold rolling or drawing. This type of anneal
is also applied to material to improve formability for forming/bending
operations with reduced risk of distortion associated with intercritical or full
annealing.

Subcritical Anneal: (500 - 1400F) (260.00-760.00 Deg C )

Annealing process conducted at a temperature below the lower critical for

ferrous material and below the full anneal temperature for nonferrous
materials. Also referred to as process annealing. This anneal is used to
restore ductility to the material for subsequent cold-working/forming
operations.

Intercritical Anneal: (1335 - 1600F) (723.89-871.11 Deg C )

Annealing process typically applied to ferrous material heated to and held

at a temperature between the upper and lower critical temperatures for
ferrous materials.

Intermediate Anneal: (500 - 1400F) (260.00-760.00 Deg C )

Annealing process conducted at a temperature below the lower critical for

ferrous material and below the full anneal temperature for nonferrous
materials. Also referred to as process annealing. This anneal is used to
restore ductility to the material between cold-working or hot-working
operations.

Recovery Anneal: (300 - 1000F) (148.89-537.78 Deg C )

Annealing process typically applied to cold-worked material to reduce

residual stresses and recover ductility in the material. Temperatures used
are below those required for recrystallization or new grain formation.

Recrystallization Anneal: (330 - 1450F) (165.56-787.78 Deg C )

Annealing process typically applied to cold-worked metal to produce a

new grain structure without going through a phase change in the case of
ferrous materials.

Isothermal Anneal: (1300 - 1650F) (704.44-898.89 Deg C )

Annealing process for ferrous materials partially of fully austenitize

followed by slow cooling to below the lower critical temperature and held
for transformation to a soft, coarse pearlite (aggregate of ferrite and iron
carbide).

Spheroidize Anneal: (1200 - 1400F) (648.89-760.00 Deg C )

Annealing process for ferrous materials (medium to high carbon, low alloy
steel) to produce a structure of globular carbides in a ferritic matrix for
improved formability and machining.

Full Anneal: (650 - 1650F) (343.33-898.89 Deg C )

Annealing process for ferrous and nonferrous materials for produce the
softest, stress-free structure for improved mach inability, cold-workability,
mechanical or electrical properties, and dimensional stability. For ferrous
materials, heat to above the upper critical transformation temperature and
hold to obtain full austenitization, and slow cool to ambient temperature.
For nonferrous materials, heat at the specified alloy anneal temperature,
hold for a specified time, and furnace cool to ambient temperature.

Solution Anneal: (900 - 2250F) (482.22-1232.22 Deg C )

Annealing process for ferrous and nonferrous materials to produce a solid

solution of alloy elements for age-hardening or precipitation-hardening, or
improved machining, formability, and/or corrosion resistance. This process
is comprised of heating to a specified temperature, holding for a specified
time, and cooling rapidly to ambient temperature. This process is typically
the precursor to an age-hardening operation for precipitation - hardenable
alloys.

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TEMPERING (350F - 1250F) (176.67-676.67 Deg C )

This treatment follows a quenching or air cooling operation. Tempering is

generally considered effective in relieving stresses induced by quenching
in addition to lowering hardness to within a specified range, or meeting
certain mechanical property requirements.

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STRESS RELIEVING: (300 - 1400F) (148.89-760.00 Deg C )

Thermal Stress Relieving is generally applied to metallic materials that
have been cold-worked, formed, machined, flame-cut, or weld-fabricated
to reduce residual stresses for dimensional stability or reduced risk of
premature failure in service.

ASME Section I: (900 - 1300F) (482.22-704.44 Deg C )

Stress relieve/Post-Weld Heat Treat in accordance with ASME Section I,

PW-39 for carbon steel weldments.

ASME Section VIII: (900 - 1300F) (482.22-704.44 Deg C )

Stress relieve/Post-Weld Heat Treat in accordance with ASME Section

VIII, UCS-56 for carbon steel weldments.

AWS D1.1: (900 - 1200F) (482.22-648.89 Deg C )

Stress relieve/Post-Weld Heat Treat in accordance with AWS D1.1, 5.8. for
carbon steel or quench and tempered weldments.

Westinghouse 83030QA: (1175F 25F)

(635.00 -3.89 Deg C )

Westinghouse approved stress relieve procedure for carbon steel welded

structures.

General Electric P8A-AG1, P10G-AL-0003 & -0004: (1125 - 1275F,

1125 - 1200F, and 1250 - 1300F) (607.22-690.56, 607.22-648.89,
676.67- 704.44 Deg C )

General Electric approved stress relieve procedures for carbon steel.

Standard Stress Relieve: (1100 - 1200F) (593.33-648.89 Deg C )

Typically applied to ferrous materials to reduce residual stresses for

improved dimensional stability or reduced risk of premature failure in
service.

Low Temperature Stress Relieve: (325 - 775F) (162.78-412.78 Deg C )

Typically applied to Stainless Steel and Aluminum Welded Fabrications to

reduce residual stresses with little or no effect of the corrosion resistance
and/or mechanical properties.

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NORMALIZING (1600 - 1800F) (871.11-982.22 Deg C )

Normalizing is generally applied to ferrous materials to enhance the
mechanical properties of the material by refining the microstructure. This
treatment will in some instances improve mach inability and machine
finish. This treatment is sometimes used as precursor to subsequent
surface hardening to improve response to hardening, or to provide
desirable base substrate hardness.

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HARDENING (2250F max) (1232.22 Deg C )

Hardening via water-quench, oil-quench, forced- or still-air quench, or

aging results in improved mechanical properties, hardness, and toughness
of the alloy material.

Water Quench (Up to 2250F) & Tempering (350 - 1200F): (1232.22,

176.67-648.89 Deg C )

This process is applied to water-hardening medium carbon and low

carbon alloy grades of steel for improved strength, hardness, and
toughness in light to moderate sections sizes.

Oil Quench (Up to 2250F) & Tempering (350 - 1200F): (1232.22,

176.67-648.89 Deg C )

This process is applied to oil-hardening medium-to-high carbon and

medium-to-high carbon alloy grades of steel for improved strength,
hardness, and toughness in moderate to heavy section sizes.

Forced-Air Quench (Up to 2250F) & tempering (350 - 1200F):

(1232.22, 176.67-648.89 Deg C )

This process is applied to medium carbon low alloy grades of steel for
improved strength, hardness, and toughness with reduced risk of
distortion.

Still-Air Quench (Up to 2250F) & Temper (350 - 1200F): (1232.22,

176.67-648.89 Deg C )

This process is applied to air-hardening grades of steel for improved

strength, hardness, and toughness with reduced risk of distortion.

Age Hardening (300 - 1400F): (148.89-760.00 Deg C )

This process is applied to age-hardenable, or precipitation - hardenable

ferrous and nonferrous alloys for improved strength, hardness, and
toughness with reduced risk of distortion.

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QUENCHING (2250F max) (1232.22 Deg C )

Quenching is an integral part of hardening via water-quench, oil-quench,

forced- or still-air quench, solution anneal and age, resulting in improved
mechanical properties, hardness, and toughness of the alloy material.

Water Quench (Up to 2250F) & Tempering (350 - 1200F): (1232.22,

176.67-648.89 Deg C )

Water quenching is applied to water-hardening medium carbon and low

carbon alloy grades of steel for improved strength, hardness, and
toughness in light to moderate sections sizes. This treatment is also used
in solution annealing of various ferrous and nonferrous alloys for improved
corrosion resistance, or as a precursor to precipitation or age hardening.

Oil Quench (Up to 2250F) & Tempering (350 - 1200F): (1232.22,

176.67-648.89 Deg C )

This process is applied to oil-hardening medium-to-high carbon and

medium-to-high carbon alloy grades of steel for improved strength,
hardness, and toughness in moderate to heavy section sizes.

Forced-Air Quench (Up to 2250F) & Tempering (350 - 1200F):

(1232.22, 176.67-648.89 Deg C )

This process is applied to medium carbon low alloy grades of steel for
improved strength, hardness, and toughness with reduced risk of
distortion. This treatment is also used in solution annealing of various
ferrous and nonferrous alloys for improved corrosion resistance, or as a
precursor to precipitation or age hardening.

Still-Air Quench (Up to 2250F) & Temper (350 - 1200F): (1232.22,

176.67-648.89 Deg C )

This process is applied to air-hardening grades of steel for improved

strength, hardness, and toughness with reduced risk of distortion. This
treatment is also used in solution annealing of various ferrous and
nonferrous alloys for improved corrosion resistance, or as a precursor to
precipitation or age hardening.

Selective Quench (Up to 2250F): (1232.22 Deg C )

Selective quench is applied to parts requiring a select area to be hardened

without affecting the remainder of the part.

Time-Controlled Quench (Up to 2250F): (1232.22 Deg C )

Time-controlled quench is sometimes applied to crack sensitive parts. This

process comprises parts being quenched in a fast quenching medium for
a given time period before being quenched in a slower quench medium to
avoid cracking while maintaining maximum hardness.