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Ultimate Steel Heat Treatment Chart for Hardening, Tempering, and Annealing
To help simplify this process, we’ve compiled a detailed Heat Treating Steels Chart that provides essential information, including the composition, hardening, tempering, annealing, and normalizing temperatures for different steel types. Additionally, the chart highlights the quenching methods and atmospheres recommended for use in industrial ovens and furnaces.
This guide is an invaluable resource for manufacturers, metallurgists, and engineers looking to optimize their industrial heat treating processes, ensuring precision and efficiency. Explore the chart below to find the best heat treatment specifications for your project.
What is Heat Treating for Steels?
Heat treating is a controlled process of heating and cooling steels to alter their physical and sometimes chemical properties. This process is widely used to enhance the performance and durability of metals in demanding applications.
The three main goals of heat treating steels are:
- Hardening for wear resistance and durability.
- Softening for improved machinability or forming.
- Stress relief to stabilize parts after mechanical working.
Key Terms Explained:
- Harden: The heat level at which steel is transformed to improve its hardness.
- Temper: Used after hardening to reduce brittleness while retaining strength.
- Anneal: Applied to soften steel, improve ductility, and relieve internal stresses.
- Normalize: A process to refine the grain structure and improve toughness.
- Quench: Determines the cooling rate and influences the steel’s final hardness.
- Atmosphere: Controlled environments (e.g., inert gas, air) in industrial furnaces to prevent oxidation or contamination during heat treating.
In the world of metalworking, precision is paramount. At Lucifer Furnaces, we understand that the success of your heat treating process hinges on having accurate and detailed guidelines. That's why we've compiled a comprehensive chart of heat treatment guidelines, tailored specifically for various steel types. This table, a culmination of our over 75 years of expertise in the industry, provides you with crucial information on hardening temperatures, quenching methods, and more. Whether you're working in aerospace, automotive, or any sector demanding exact metallurgical results, this chart is your roadmap to achieving optimal outcomes in steel treatment:
| Steel | Composition | Harden °F | Temper °F | Anneal °F | Normalize °F | Quench | Atmosphere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | Medium Alloy | 1700-1800 | 350-1000 | 1550-1600 | 0 | Air | * Air / Inert |
| A6 | High Carbon | 1800-1875 | 400-1000 | 1600-1650 | 0 | Air | * Air / Inert |
| D2 | High Carbon | 1800-1875 | 400-1000 | 1600-1650 | 0 | Air | * Air / Inert |
| O1 | Oil Harden | 1450-1500 | 350-500 | 1400-1450 | 1600 | Oil | * Air / Inert |
| W1 | Water Harden | 1400-1550 | 350-650 | 1360-1400 | 1450-1600 | Water | * Air / Inert |
| S7 | Shock Resisting | 1650-1750 | 400-1200 | 1500-1550 | 0 | Oil | * Air / Inert / Natural Gas |
| H13 | Hot Work Alloy | 1825-1875 | 1000-1200 | 1550-1650 | 0 | Air / Oil | * Air / Endo. |
| M2 | Molybdenum High Speed | 2150-2250 | 1000-1200 | 1600-1650 | 0 | Air / Oil / Salt | * Air / Endo. |
| T2 | Tungsten High Speed | 2300-2375 | 1000-1100 | 1600-1650 | 0 | Air / Oil / Salt | * Air / Endo. |
| 1040 | Medium Carbon | 1550 | 1550 | 1550 | 1650 | Water | ---- |
| 4130 | Alloy Steel | 1600 | 0 | 1575 | 1625 | Oil | ---- |
| 4140 | Medium Carbon | 1575 | 400-1200 | 1550 | 1600 | Oil | * Air / Dis. Ammonia |
Tips for Using the Heat Treating Steels Chart
- Select the Right Steel Type: Cross-reference the chart with your project requirements to choose a steel grade that meets your desired properties.
- Verify Furnace Capabilities: Ensure your industrial ovens and furnaces are capable of achieving the specified temperatures and maintaining the required atmospheres.
- Consider Quenching Media: The choice of water, oil, or air for quenching can significantly impact the steel's hardness and internal stresses.
- Adjust for Scale and Size: Remember that the scale of the part and heat distribution in the furnace may slightly affect the heat treatment process.
Why Use Industrial Ovens and Furnaces for Heat Treating Steels?
Modern industrial ovens and furnaces are designed for precise temperature control, uniform heating, and atmosphere management, making them essential for achieving consistent and high-quality results. By using the correct equipment, industries like aerospace, automotive, and finishing can meet stringent specifications and deliver reliable performance.
Conclusion
Our heat treatment guidelines chart is more than just numbers and data; it's a reflection of our commitment to excellence and precision in industrial furnace and oven solutions. At Lucifer Furnaces, we strive not only to provide top-tier equipment but also to empower our clients with the knowledge and resources they need to excel in their operations. We hope this chart serves as a valuable tool in your heat treating endeavors, ensuring that each piece of steel is treated with the utmost accuracy for superior performance. Stay tuned to our blog for more insights and user guides, helping you make the most of our advanced heat treating solutions.