Heat Treating Terminology

Welcome to the intricate world of heat treating, where terminology is as crucial as the process itself. In this ever-evolving industry, understanding the specific language used is key to achieving precision and excellence. At Lucifer Furnaces, we recognize the importance of clear communication and the role it plays in successful heat treating operations. Whether you're a seasoned professional in the aerospace or automotive industries or a newcomer to metalworking, this blog is your definitive guide to mastering the essential terminology in heat treating. From 'annealing' to 'tempering,' we'll navigate through the complex jargon, ensuring you're well-equipped with the knowledge to discuss and execute heat treating processes with confidence.

• Air Hardening Steel
• Annealing
• Batch Furnace - Batch Oven
• Brazing
• Bright Annealing
• Carburizing
• Decarburization
• Hardening
• Industrial Ovens
• Induction Heating
• Normalizing
• Preheating
• Protective Atmospheres
• Quenching
• Sintering
• Stress Relieve
• Tempering
• Transformation Temperature
• TUS

Air Hardening Steel

A steel containing sufficient carbon to harden fully during cooling in air from a temperature above its transformation range.

Annealing

Heat treat process consisting of heating to and holding at a temperature above the transformation temperature followed by slow cooling in the furnace at a suitable rate primarily for the purpose to soften metallic materials.

Batch Furnace - Batch Oven

Terms referring to equipment for a variety of thermal processing operations involving batch processing of materials.  "Batch" refers to the part(s) being brought to the furnace/oven.  Lucifer Furnaces builds a huge variety of thermal processing equipment that meets the need of batch processing.

Brazing

A heat treat process that joins solid materials together by heating them to a suitable temperature using a filler metal.

Bright Annealing

A process of annealing usually carried out in a controlled furnace atmosphere so that surface oxidation is reduced to a minimum and the surface remains relatively bright.

Carburizing

A form of case hardening that produces a carbon gradient extending inward from the surface, enabling the surface layer to be hardened either by quenching directly from the carburizing temperature or by cooling to room temperature.

Decarburization

Loss of carbon from the surface layer of the alloy due to reaction with one or more chemical substances which contact the surface.

Hardening

Heat treat process to increase hardness by heating and cooling. The formation of martensite in alloy when quenched rapidly from a temperature above the transformation temperature.

Industrial Ovens

Heat treat equipment  to cure, bake and dry materials in laboratories or production facilities.  Generally ovens for thermal processing are equipped with fans for air recirculation/uniform heating.

Induction Heating

Heating by combining electrical resistance and hysteresis losses induced by subjecting a metal to the varying magnetic field surrounding a coil carrying alternating current.

Normalizing

A heat treat process consisting of heating to a temperature above the transformation range followed by rapid cooling in air. Normalizing refines grain size, relieves internal stresses and makes a material more uniform for better machinability.

Preheating

Heating to an intermediate temperature before either further thermal or mechanical treatment or before final austenitizing.

Protective Atmospheres

Gases used to displace the oxygen in the heating chamber to prevent or minimize scale and oxidation on the surface of the work. Atmosphere can also be used to add carbon or remove carbon from the surface of steels. Protective atmospheres are generally classified as being inert (Nitrogen, Argon) or reducing (Hydrogen, Dissociated Ammonia.) Reducing atmospheres are flammable and explosive and require additional safety equipment for operation with furnaces.

Quenching

Rapidly cooling metal alloys for hardening. Typical quench mediums include air, oil, water, salt and polymers.

Sintering

Heat treat process which bonds powdered metals under high temperatures but below the melting temperature of the material.

Stress Relieve

A heat treat process consisting of heating steel below the transformation temperature, to relieve internal stresses, followed by slow cooling.

Tempering

A heat treat process consisting of reheating a quenched steel at a temperature below the transformation range to decrease hardness and increase toughness and ductility.

Transformation Temperature

The temperature at which a change in the molecular structure of the steel occurs. The transformation temperature varies depending on the carbon and alloy content of the steel.

TUS

Temperature Uniformity Survey

Conclusion

As we conclude our journey through the essential terminology of heat treating, remember that these terms are more than just words - they are the building blocks of understanding in this specialized field. With this knowledge, you are better prepared to tackle the challenges and opportunities in the world of industrial furnaces and ovens. At Lucifer Furnaces, we're committed to not only providing top-notch equipment but also empowering you with the expertise to use them to their fullest potential. Keep this guide handy as a reference in your heat treating endeavors, and stay connected with our blog for more insights and updates in the field of heat treatment. Together, let's continue to shape the future of metalworking with precision and expertise