Annealing Heat Treatment Services and Stainless Steel

June 26, 2019 | Technical Articles

The process by which steel can be structurally softened is known as annealing heat treatment. At Bluewater Thermal, we offer exceptional quality quenching heat treatment solutions for different applications.

The Process of Annealing

Various types of annealing are used in industrial applications. However, the general process usually consists of the presence of a furnace in which steel is heated until it reaches a recrystallization temperature (upper critical temperature) and then is allowed to cool. This process modifies the microstructure of the steel to austenite and transfers the metal closer to a state of equilibrium. The process serves to lower the steel’s compressive tensile strength, providing it with enhanced malleability.

Reasons for Stainless Steel Annealing

Stainless steel may be annealed for a number of reasons. First of all, the process of annealing reduces hardness and increases ductility by creating a grain on the metal surface that is less coarse. This allows the metal to be stretched and shaped into a desired form: wires and castings, for instance. The SS annealing heat treatment process allows for greater machinability, allowing it to be manipulated easily by cutting machine tools.

Normalization Process

Just like annealing heat treatment, another form of heat treatment carried out on steel is referred to as normalization. This process brings the temperature of the steel to a critical point. Subsequently, the temperature of the steel is maintained until a grain refinement occurs in its structure. This makes the steel more uniform and machinable.

Tempering Process

Tempering steel, just as with the normalization process, involves the steel heated in a furnace. Unlike with normalization, tempering raises the temperature below the critical point which creates a martensite microstructure. The resulting microstructure is less hard and brittle, which makes it less susceptible to breaking or chipping.

It is important that your heat treating company does not cut corners on quality or cut corners. As a heat treating company with more than 40 years of experience in the industry, we have the ability to provide you with first-class annealing solutions.

Bluewater Thermal Solutions specializes in all types of heat treating processes including brazing, nitriding, boronizing, carbonitriding & carburizing, and more. We offer a wide array of heat treating and boronizing processes at 11 different locations. To find out how we can serve your induction hardening needs, call us today at 877.990.0050, or request a quote on our website for services.

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