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.

Neutral Hardening: Definition and Importance

The process of producing a martensitic microstructure that is normally performed on ready-made parts is known as neutral hardening. Two other terms for this same procedure are “quench hardening” and “martensitic hardening.”

The reasons this process is performed, plus the reasons it’s so important, are numerous. First and foremost, the steel will achieve a higher level of strength and hardness, plus it will become tougher, more resistant to temperature extremes, plus the parts will be lighter and stiffer. Parts that require low-roughness grinding will get the needed machinability, and the martensitic stainless steel parts are corrosion resistant after neutral hardening. Tools are also more resistant to wear.

Neutral hardening will not change the chemical composition of the steel tools. It will help harden the tool’s core, but the surface will not change, so that means the heated parts of the surface are not enriched or decarburized. The steel tools will then have the best combination of strength and toughness and, if needed, the aforementioned temperature resistance. 

Steel tools will first be shaped. And then the actual neutral hardening process begins. It involves parts being heated in a neutral atmosphere. They are then quenched in an agitation- and temperature-controlled oil bath that is also furnace integral. This helps the parts to harden. Then the parts are tempered to relieve the stresses from the heat treating procedure. The part’s hardness is reduced to the desired hardness range during this part of the procedure. Parts that get this sort of heat treating process include springs, highly loaded parts, cutting and hammering tools and stainless steel tools that need high corrosion resistance.

Neutral hardening is a pretty complicated heat treating process, so it is imperative that you take your steel tools to a company that really knows what it is doing. That is where we come in! When you need neutral hardening services call Hi-Tech Steel Treating at 1-800-835-8294 or Contact Us.

What is Heat Treating?

Heat treating in Tennessee can be a pretty complicated subject, so we are hoping we can help simplify it just a bit with this blog! Hi-Tech Steel Treating offers a variety of heat treating services, and here is a rundown of what they are.

      1.       Hardening: This treatment helps decrease the wear and tear on metal tools by hardening the carbon and alloy components of the metal.

      2.       Softening or annealing: This makes metal more pliable and removes residual stresses. It also helps to improve the metal’s overall toughness and restores its ductility, which is how easily it is shaped or molded. Plus it also changes the properties of the steel and the grain size.

     3.       Tempering: This procedure helps relieve the stress on the metal that is often caused by other heat treating processes.

     4.       Normalizing: A process that helps improve the finish of the metal after the machining process is finished.

     5.       Material modification: Similar to cryogenics and tempering, it changes the metal’s properties, which results in the metal tools’ life being extended.

We realize that if you’re not directly involved in the heat treating line of business, the processes and definitions can be rather perplexing! But that’s why you should come to a company like Hi-Tech Steel Treating when you need heat treating done to your metal tools. We’ve been in this line of business for so long that everything heat treating-related is second nature to us at this point. We’re happy to answer any questions you have and explain any part of the process that you’re curious about. Your tools are in good hands when you trust us with all of your heat treating needs.

So when you need heat treating services in Tennessee, give us a call at 1-800-835-8294 or Contact Us.

The Importance of High Speed Hardening in Tennessee

If you work with steel tools in Tennessee on a regular basis, then you probably already know a thing or two about heat treating and high speed hardening. Tennessee workers know they need to go to one of the best when it comes to getting their tools heat treated. This is just one of the many services Hi-Tech Steel Treating offers, and we are happy to provide some insight into why high speed hardening is so beneficial and why it is so important to come to experts like us when your steel tools need treated.

When a steel tool is heat treated using the high speed hardening method, it becomes harder, it is better able to resist abrasion, it can hold a cutting edge better and longer and it can more easily resist being deformed at higher temperatures. All of these qualities means the steel tool will perform better for you at your Tennessee job. The high speed hardening process is pretty detailed and requires a high level of expertise to get the job done right for Tennessee workers. That pretty much sums up why it is so important to get an expert to do the high speed hardening on your steel tools.

Heat treating will always alter the chemical properties of the steel tool. Heat treating and high speed hardening are both done at extremely high temperatures. So making sure the process is done properly and safely is of the utmost importance. This is why Hi-Tech Steel Treating is in business. We have a quality assurance program in place (Certificate of Registration for ISO 9001:2008) so you can rest assured that when you hire us to take care of the high speed hardening process, you are truly getting the best bang for your buck.

Call us today at 1-800-835-8294 or contact us online to get more information about high speed hardening in Tennessee.