Metal Treating Options

Metal treating is when a metal part is heated and/or cooled in order to alter its chemical properties. While the size and shape of the metal will not be affected, the toughness, strength and a few other factors are transformed to make the tool strong enough to perform a specific task or function. We specialize in metal treating in Tennessee, so we wanted to take the time to discuss some of the more popular heat treating methods that are available.

Tempering

When a material is heated to below its critical temperature, this is a metal treating process known as tempering. It helps increase toughness and ductility but it also reduces the metal’s strength. Regardless, the end result is a metal that is still quite strong and will generally be strong enough to do the task it is needed to do. Tempering also helps reduce cracking and hardness, and it also helps increase workability. 

Annealing

The metal is heated to a particular high temperature and then held there for several hours to several days. After that, it is allowed to cool. Special furnaces and conditions are used for this heat treating process, and these are all tightly controlled factors so the needed changes to the metal occur. Annealing increases ductility, and it can also decrease the internal stresses that can sometimes contribute to the part’s brittleness. This metal treating process can also increase the toughness and homogeneity of the metal parts.

Normalizing

Meant to improve the ferrous metal’s machines finishes, normalizing also helps to improve surface hardness and the material’s response to the machining process. 

We can give you more information about metal treating when you call us to find out more details about our services and all we have to offer. We even offer pick up and delivery services so you do not have to worry about transporting your metal tools to us. Your deadlines become our deadlines because we know you are probably working on a tight schedule.

For more information on metal treating in Tennessee, call Hi-Tech Steel at 1-800-835-8294 or you can Contact Us.

Black Oxide Benefits

As a company that specializes in heat treating tools, one of our most popular services is black oxide. MI businesses and industries know they can trust us for this type of heat treatment. And we can think of several reasons black oxide is a great way to protect your steel tools and help them last even longer. 

For one thing, black oxide offers extra corrosion protection to the surface of the metal tool. This will help prolong the life of the tool and the shelf life of any metal parts that are stored away. It also helps with a part’s lubricity, which means the mating parts of the tool will run smoother.

You will also see added dimensional stability with black oxide treatment. During the treatment process, the part’s metal surface is penetrated and that turns the surface metal into an iron oxide. But there will be no measurable increase in critical dimensions after this treatment is over.

Black oxide also solves glare problems. When you are working in a factory with bright lights, black oxide will help reduce the glare you can experience off of these metal tools. This is a great help with eye fatigue, headaches and other physical ailments that can result from too much glare in your eyes.

Black oxide is environmentally friendly because it does not produce any noxious fumes. And black oxide will not change the conductivity of steel tools either. If you are looking to paint your steel tools, black oxide will also help paint adhere to the surface of the metal tools better as well. 

Plus, black oxide isn’t just functional – it is aesthetically pleasing too. They add a lovely black finish to your tools, and this can help with the sales of these tools if you sell them.

Would you like to learn more about black oxide in MI? Call Hi-Tech Steel Treating at 1-800-835-8294, or you can Contact Us.

Advantages of Steel Hardening

Steel hardening is a popular heat treatment for steel tools. And as a company that specializes in steel hardening in Detroit and the surrounding areas, we can think of many benefits that this type of treatment offers. 

Steel hardening not only hardens tools, but it also helps to increase the durability of steel tools. This helps them last longer, and it could help you save some money in the long run. You get more use out of them overall too. And the more use you get out of them, the more value they have for you overall.

You will also enjoy an increase in carbon resistance with steel hardening. Carbon resistance is also another important aspect of making sure your steel tools last for as long as possible. We want to make sure our steel hardening treatment helps prolong the life of your steel tools for as long as possible.

Steel hardening also helps to decrease the cost of maintaining your steel tools. It also helps increase the precision and reliability of these types of tools. This means the work you do with them could be even more efficient and thorough, and this also helps you save time, money and hassle over the long term.

A steel hardening company like Hi-Tech Steel knows exactly what to do to make sure this steel treatment process is done right the first time. We have the know-how and the right equipment to perform this service for you when you need it. We also offer pick-up and delivery, so your deadlines become our deadlines when it comes to steel hardening and the other heat treatment services we provide to customers like you.

Do you want more information on steel hardening in Detroit? Call Hi-Tech Steel at 1-800-835-8394 or you can Contact Us.

Benefits of Steam Treating Steel

Steam treating steel is a process that results in metal that has increased corrosion resistance, better wear resistance, increased surface hardness, a more uniform finish, less porosity and increased density. It is the controlled oxidation of metals that results in a thin layer of oxide on the surface of the component. This can help the part to retain lubricants better and more efficiently.

Steam treating is also done to improve the aesthetics of a steel tool because it results in a decorative coating that is blue-black or blue-gray. And increased wear resistance is great for tools that are going to be inventoried for awhile. 

The three most important aspects of the steam treating process are atmosphere, time and temperature. The first step is to heat the component to a temperature that is above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The part will usually be heated to above 700 degrees Fahrenheit before it is exposed to steam. This ensures the entire load of parts is above 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the part is at 700 degrees, the component is hit with dry steam. The water vapor in the steam will then react with the iron in the part.

The ferrous parts are then heated to about 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. They are then held in the dry steam for a set amount of time, depending on the application. After that, the parts are generally allowed to cool naturally in the air.

Usually, the lower the density of the powder metal part, the more of an improvement there will be to the part because of the larger number of interconnected voids.

For more information on steam treating steel, call Hi-Tech Steel Treating at 1-800-835-8294 or Contact Us.

Frequently Asked Questions about Heat Treating Steel

We here at Hi-Tech Steel Treating often get asked the same questions about heat treating steel in Tennessee. So we’re going to covered some of the most frequently asked questions and give you more information about the heat treating steel process and how it can benefit you.

Can you hit a metal with another metal to determine hardness?

Depending on the type of metal, yes, you can. For example, a hard aluminum is more like a soft steel. You can try to use a scratch test, especially if you purchase a set of graduated files, which are specifically designed to test the steel’s (or other metal’s) hardness. 

What happens when the metal’s toughness is tempered down with hardness?

When the metal’s toughness is tempered, the toughness is not significantly affected by the tempering process. But you can improve the toughness through heat treating steel by using a lower hardening temperature and then cooling it completely to room temperature between the tempers. This will ensure a complete conversion.

Why are metals like steel, carbon and iron so hard?

The internal crystal structures are the cause. Non-ferrous metals can only be hardened through hammering, bending and rolling. But they are softened through the heat treating steel process called annealing. Steel’s hardness is determined by its carbon content. When you are heat treating steel, you have to heat it to a medium red color, or to just above the point where the steel becomes magnetic, and then dip it into water, air or oil.

Can you use a scratch test on glass, stainless steel or carbide?

You can, but it’s not as dependable. There are other, more reliable ways of testing these materials’ hardness.

When you need heat treating steel in Tennessee, call Hi-Tech Steel Treating, Inc. at 1-800-835-8294 or Contact Us.