Heat treatment is a process of heating or chilling a specific material, usually a metal, at a certain temperature. This process enables the metal to undergo significant changes when it comes to its mechanical properties and overall microstructure.
There are several types of heat treatment techniques that can be done with metals. Some of these are annealing, case hardening, precipitation strengthening, tempering, and quenching. While these techniques can provide beneficial changes to metals, some of them would only generate mechanical deformations and distortion zones that can be resolved or removed by a particular technique.
An Overview of Precision Straightening
Precision straightening is a technique wherein a particular metal material undergoes simple straightening and fine levelling for it to acquire a precise level of straightened features and characteristics. This particular technique or process is normally done by subjecting sheets of metal to numerous rolls in varying diameters. The diameters differ according to the desired thickness as well as the width and the degree of straightness of the metal material.
This specific technique can be similar to both conventional normal straightening and fine levelling processes due to the number of counter-rolls that are present on the machines used for the process. The rolls can range from 25 to 100mm in diameter, enabling them to process different types and specifications of metals. Thinner materials require more rolls compared to the thicker ones.
Cold and Hot Precision Straightening
Metal materials that have not yet obtained an overly hardened form can still be subjected to a powerful mechanical press and a grinding machine. Although, one element that must be considered before choosing between cold and hot precision straightening is the plasticity quotient of the metal’s structure. Metal parts or sheets that have a low elasticity limit may lock them on their twisted form.
Cold precision straightening can generate parts that are harder, stiffer, and stronger. It can, however, cause cracks and stress fractures, making the parts or sheets unusable. Hot precision straightening, alternatively, can be effective in a lot of metal materials since their profiles can be restored to their acceptable tolerances without expecting any of the effects of cold precision straightening.
Modern precision straightening techniques, fortunately, are now maximising technologies that could effectively spot and resolve flaws in metal materials.
Alpha Detroit Heat Treatment Services
If you need help with precision straightening, feel free to contact us at Alpha Detroit Heat Treatment. We have a range of straightening presses up to 20-tonne capacity. We can likewise work on both cold and hot precision straightening to effectively cater to your needs. We can also remove twists that may be present on the metal materials through our specially adapted de-twisting press.
We pride ourselves on providing quality service and reliability, as well as a wide range of services for all your heat treatment needs. Our expertise allows us to suggest the most appropriate process for your heat treatment requirements.
Non-ferrous metals are metals that are not comprised of iron content, which gives them significant resistance to corrosion and rust that can be very useful for outdoor applications. They are also non-magnetic, allowing them to be used for electronic applications.
One metal that is part of the non-ferrous metal family is aluminium. It is lightweight, soft, and can be processed easily. This metal, however, has low strength. Therefore, different methods of heat treatment are carried out to alter their strength. Heat treatments also allow aluminium to be machined or welded easily, change their mechanical properties, obtain wear-resistant properties, improve brittleness, and enhance compatibility with other types of materials.
To date, there are numerous types of aluminium heat treatments that you can maximise. Some of these types are as follows:
Annealing
The plastic deformation of aluminium that is subjected to strain hardening allows its grain structures to slide against each other along slip planes. As the instances of plastic deformation continue, the number of slip planes decreases, requiring the aluminium to have more force to obtain further deformation. To reset the crystalline grain structure, restore the slip planes, and relieve the internal stress of an aluminium alloy, it must undergo the process of annealing. Annealing is conducted by heating the aluminium alloy between 298°C to 410°C for around thirty minutes to three hours. An aluminium alloy that is subjected to annealing can be worked more easily compared to one that has not been processed.
Solution Heat Treatment
Solution heat treatment, alternatively, is a process wherein the age-hardening elements are dissolved. During this process, a part must be rapidly cooled after heating to effectively distribute the dissolved elements in the alloy. The temperature needed by an aluminium alloy for the heating process ranges between 440°C and 526°C. The temperature must be, nevertheless, within ±12°C of the target temperature so that the solution heat treatment can yield great results. The soaking time of the heated part, subsequently, may range between 10 minutes and 12 hours, depending on its size and dimensions. Ultimately, it must be quenched to trap elements in place and avoid them from precipitating.
Precipitation Hardening
Precipitation hardening, also known as artificial aging, is another type of heat treatment that allows an aluminium alloy to reach its maximum hardness. This heat treatment process is conducted by heating an aluminium alloy between 115°C and 274°C, within ±15°C of the intended temperature. The alloy must be consequently soaked for around 6 to 24 hours and then cooled to room temperature. Once the precipitation hardening is finished, the aluminium alloy is expected to obtain a significant increase in yield strength, a slight increase in tensile strength, and a decrease in ductility. An aluminium alloy that cannot reach its peak hardness during natural aging at room temperature can utilise precipitation hardening.
To obtain high-quality aluminium heat treatment processes, feel free to contact us at Alpha Detroit Heat Treatment. We provide a wide range of services for all your heat treatment needs. Our expertise allows us to suggest the most appropriate process for your heat treatment requirements.