Metal Hardening, Metal Quenching, and Metal Tempering: What are the Differences?
Certain questions always seem to return to torture novice engineers. No sooner has one problem been solved than the next comes careening down the track like a runaway train. It’s the different heat treatment terms that really create the deepest furrowed brows. Once and for all, we’re going to get rid of this tangle by […]
Heat Treatment of Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys
When a discussion turns to heat treatment, aluminium isn’t the first metal that comes to mind. We think of its lightweight features, the uses of aluminium alloys as an aeronautics material and a commercial commodity. Be that as it may, there are thermally conditional aluminium alloys out there, forms of the abundant metal that can […]
Bluing of Steel by Heat Treatment: Why and How it Happens?
Let’s navigate our way through a passivation process that earns its name by producing a blue-black protective layer around the subjected steel part. The heat treatment technique essentially forms a protective finish around the metal, which is why screws, cutting blades, and even hand weapons can procure that signature “bluing of steel” look. But, as […]
What is Austempering?
Today’s journey through heat treatment technology looks at Austempering. As always, we’re industriously seeking the best, most cost-effective way to improve the mechanical and physical characteristics of a workpiece. More than this, we’re using specific engineering methods to ensure the workpiece absolutely exhibits the traits that have been set in stone by a client. So […]
Low Carbon Steel Case Hardening Process
It’s tough to case harden low carbon steels. Simply put, more carbon equals more hardness, a feature that even the casual observer can appreciate. One solution to this processing puzzle is to introduce more carbon. In essence, the low carbon surface is infused with a supplementary carbon source. Consequently, as the additional carbon is artificially […]
Tips for Finding Leaks in a Vacuum Heat Furnace
Vacuum heat furnaces perform expeditiously as atmosphere controlled heat treatment chambers. Drained of process-influencing oxygen and filled instead with an inert gas, the furnace stops scaling, stops parts discolouration, and generally improves the mechanical and physical characteristics of any processed workpiece. What happens if this sealed chamber develops a leak? The vacuum is tainted and […]
A Few Do’s and Don’ts of Hot Zone (Heat Treatment) Maintenance

Do’s and don’ts guides are an engineer’s best friend. They’re an objective instruction tool that helps system architects and fabricators to navigate processing minefields. In that regard, hot zone maintenance procedures employ a highly organised sequential approach. That systematic methodology begins with a pre-processing phase, a maintenance checklist that governs the heat treatment operation before […]
Heat Furnace and the Importance of Temperature Uniformity
Does a factory full of furnaces look like some industrial hell? In point of fact, nothing could be further from the truth. Science-lab accuracy and high-tolerance engineering exactitude rule every processing stage. In those heated furnaces, temperature uniformity is a beyond critical quality, one that comprehensively eliminates heat treatment inconsistencies. Let’s really draw a line […]
Effects of Flame Hardening on Steel and Iron
As stated in our earlier articles, flame hardening technology selectively heats and hardens parts of a metal workpiece. Imagine the teeth of a spur gear being subjected to the flame, or perhaps it’s the leading edge of a chisel that experiences the focused flame. Looked at from the perspective of the subject steel or iron […]
Annealing Equipment: Significance in Metal Fabrication
Metal fabricators employ numerous tooling stations, which is as it should be because complex geometrical profiles are processed within these expert workshops. Some tools bend, others drill, then, waiting in the wings, there are bandsaw cutters and shop presses waiting. In essence, the workpieces are exposed to enormous stresses. These cold work stresses steal away […]