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.

Michigan Heat Treating Metal Services for Many Industries

There are many industries that rely on Michigan heat treating metal services. The need for heat treating metal services is requested for a variety of reasons, but the outcome is usually the same. A stronger, tougher and more durable metal is created after the process at Hi-Tech Steel Treating in Michigan is completed. In this blog, we're going to cover some of the industries that rely on heat treating metal services to function.

Automobile Industry

The automobile industry in Michigan is one that relies on heat treating metal services. Heat treating metal can help to strengthen it, which is necessary in the automotive and transportation industries. Transporting large equipment and loads is a common function of the automotive industry today. It is imperative that you have the toughest and strongest metal  in your transportation equipment to get the job done right.

Highway, Bridges & Roads

The infrastructure industry in Michigan, mostly focused on highways, bridges and roads is another industry that frequently needs heat treating metal services. As roadways and bridges decline, the decision is made whether to repair or replace the parts in questions. In many cases, no matter what the decision is, heat treating metal will be needed. This is the case in Michigan and all over the United States.

General Machinery

Machines continue to become more and more advanced. In the case of high-tech general machinery, you often find the need for heat treating metal. The machines are built to last, and to have a strong piece of machinery, it needs to be heat treated. Heat treating metal can prevent and repair all kinds of issues that come up. It makes for more reliable machinery and equipment in Michigan.

Are you in an industry that needs Michigan heat treating metal services? Contact us today by calling 1-800-835-8294 or contact us online.

What’s the Deal with Heat Treating Metals?

If you’re not in the business of heattreating metals in Michigan, you might be wondering what heat treating is all about. What does the term mean? Why is it done? What benefits and advantages can it provide? A company like Hi-Tech Steel can provide heat treating services and more, plus answer any other questions you may have.

What does heat treating mean?

Heat treating is a process that alters the physical (and sometimes chemical) properties of a given material. It is also used to manufacture other common materials, like glass. When something is being treated, extreme hot and cold temperatures are used to achieved the desired result, which is usually the softening or hardening of that material.

Why is it done?

It is an attempt to improve the mechanical and physical properties of a material for a given application. In layman’s terms, it simply means it’s a way to make sure that the material being used is at its best for what it will eventually be used for. However, the metal is not necessarily being hardened. Some of these treatments are used to soften the metal for operations like machining, cold forging and deep drawing. Sometimes the desired end result is wear resistance and increased strength.  Other times, highly defined edges must be maintained for cutting tools made of steel, so heat treating these materials is critical.

What are the benefits and advantages?

The main benefit of heat treating is to increase the strength of the material, but it can also improve formability, restore ductility after a cold working operation and improve machining.

For more information …

Visit Hi-Tech Steel’s website and learn more about the process. Or if you’re in the market for heat treating, give us a call at (800) 835-8294 or contact us online.

Heat Treating Steel

Steel heat treating is something that is done to manipulate steel’s physical and chemical composition. This will help harden or soften the metal, so it can be used for different applications. Heat treating metal is not something new, but practices and technologies have been upgraded to make it more efficient. For clients all around the country, like in Tennessee, heat treating steel can be performed by Hi-Tech Steel. We provide a variety of steel heat treating services. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the different heat treating methods.

1. Stress Relieving. This type of heat treating is used to cut down on undesirable distortions after shaping. If the steel does not go through the stress relieving process, it will make it harder to shape as it is continually worked with.

2. Hardening. There are a number of methods used to perform steel hardening. Harder steel has a lower chance of bending when it is being manipulated.

3. Annealing. It is a method of heat treating that increases ductility and workability. During the annealing process, steel is heated for a period of times and then cooled at a precise temperature.

4. Normalizing. The process of normalizing steel, which will help the grain of the steel follow the new structure of the steel after it has been shaped for use.

5. Steam Treating. This type of heat treating increases steel’s ability to retain lubricants. This reduces wear and tear on the steel and improves corrosion resistance.

There are many other processes to heat treat steel that we haven’t covered. If you live near Tennessee, heat treating can be handled by us. To see a full list of our services, please visit our website.

If you need of Tennessee heat treating services, call us today at 1-800-835-8294 or Fill OutOur Online Form.

How Steel Hardening Works: Tool Steels

When it comes to steel hardening, there are many different processes at play. One of the most popular applications is to harden the material into tool steel. For our clients all over the country, like Tennessee and Michigan, steel hardening gives them the tool steel they need for their particular application(s), whether it be industrial or commercial.

What is tool steel?

Tool steel, essentially, is what it reads: steel that is suitable to be made into tools. The reason these types of steels are made into tools is due, in part, to their hardness, abrasion resistance, ability to retain a cutting edge and durability against elevated temperatures.

What are the most common types of tool steels?

The most used types of tool steel include:

·         Water-Hardening Types (W-grade steel). These steels are water quenched, and is relatively low cost compared to other types, hence its popularity.

·         Cold-Working Types. These steels are used on larger parts or those requiring lessened distortion during hardening. Subtypes include oil-hardening types, air-hardening types, D-types and ISO 1.2767.

·         Shock-Resisting Types (S-type steel). These are tool steels designed to resist shocks at low and high temperatures, and can be found in applications like jackhammer bits.

·         High-Speed Types (T-Type and M-Type). These are developed for cutting tools whose applications require them to retain strength and hardness at extremely high temperatures.

·         Hot-Working Types (H-Type). This steel is used for tools that are prolonged to increased temperatures.

·         Special-Purpose Types:

◦   P-Type Tool Steel. For plastic mold sheets.

◦   L-Type Tool Steel. These are low-alloy special purpose tool steel.

◦   F-Type Tool Steel. This type is more resistant than water-hardening types, even though it is also water hardened.

Looking for a great Michigan steel hardening company? Call Hi-Tech Steel today at 1-800-835-8294.