Metal heat treatments are designed to alter the properties of a metal without changing its shape. Heat treatment is a process that can be applied to a variety of materials and is used for many different reasons. Treating metal with heat can change its physical and chemical properties to alter factors like the strength of the metal, how brittle it is and whether it is softer or harder. It is important to be able to alter these metal properties through heat treatments depending on what the metal will be used for.
There are several different types of heat treatments that can be used for metals, including annealing and tempering. These are common methods of metal heat treatments in Gastonia, NC, and can be very useful for a wide range of applications.
Metal annealing
Annealing is a method of heat treatment in which the metal is heated to a specific temperature and then gradually cooled at a planned rate. The metal is heated while it is inside a large oven or furnace, and the cooling occurs by submerging the heated metal in sand, ashes or another material with low heat conductivity.
This method of controlled heating and cooling affects several aspects of the metal. It can soften the metal, improve its machinability and even increase its electrical conductivity. In addition, annealing increases ductility of the material. Annealing is often used for metals involved in cold working to increase their softness and prevent the likelihood that they will crack as a result of extended use. Annealing is generally used only for steel, but similar processes might be applied to other metals such as copper.
Metal tempering
During the tempering process, the metal is heated to a specific temperature and held there for a fixed period of time. This tempering often takes place in a vacuum or inert atmosphere, and the heat and duration of the treatment is variable, depending on the thickness of the metal as well as the desired degree of hardness. The purpose of tempering is to increase the hardness or strength of metal alloys while reducing the brittle nature that can be associated with excessively hard metals. Low-temperature tempering generally maintains the metal hardness while reducing brittleness, whereas high-temperature tempering can increase the elasticity of the metal while reducing hardness. Because of the complexity of the tempering process, it is important to find a heat treating company that is experienced in performing high-quality heat treatments in Gastonia, NC for a variety of applications.
Heat treatments in Gastonia, NC
If you need assistance with tempering, annealing or any other heat treating services, contact J.F. Heat Treating Inc. We are experts in metal heat treatments with decades of experience in the industry. No matter what your specific needs may be, we can advise you on the best course of action and assist you with professional services to get you the best possible result. Give us a call for more information about all of the services that we offer and how we can help improve the performance of your products.