Archive: 2017

Engineering terms usually help out by subtly suggesting their meanings. If someone talks about a quenching operation, then the process becomes self-evident. But that’s not always the case, certainly not when we talk about the normalizing process. It’s a generic term, after all, one that has a dozen different meanings. In heat treatment terminology, however, […]

Despite appearances, heat treatment work relies on a scientifically accurate process. Sure, the coarse industrial outlines operating here may suggest otherwise, but don’t be fooled, this is engineering fidelity labouring at the highest level. Just how are those optimised results achieved? The answer is simple. Every step in the process has to be governable. There’s […]

Just as a refresher, what is heat treatment technology? Certainly, the exposure of a metal part to heat changes its material and mechanical characteristics. And those changes occur over time. That controlled thermal treatment sequence can even be dramatically curtailed by quenching the metal workpiece. What about material oxidation in heat treatment, though? Where does […]

Carbon is the element upon which all of life is founded. Also, in heat treatment technology, carbon is the primary alloying element in the steel hardening process. Not surprisingly, there are variations on this theme. For example, high carbon steel is a dense alloy, but it’s also a brittle metal. Let’s follow this hardening process […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]