Design for Assembly and its Use in Product Manufacturing
Years ago, blacksmiths used heat to shape metals for wagon parts, horseshoes, and more. Once formed to the desired shape, the metal was cooled quickly. This usually made the metal a lot harder and less brittle. This is a basic process called heat treatment of metals. Modern machining and metalworking processes are now more precise and sophisticated.
Many different techniques help shape metals for various purposes. The heat treatment processes alter the ways metals react to precision machining. Heat treatment can change several properties of metals. Such properties include hardness, strength, formability, elasticity, machinability, and more.
There are several heat treatment methods today. Metallurgists continually work on improving the cost-efficiency and outcomes of the methods. When followed properly, the methods can give you metals with remarkable chemical and physical properties. Here, we’ll take a closer look at heat treatment types of steel and metals and their purposes.
What is Heat Treatment?
Generally, heat treatment of steel involves the heating and cooling of the material. The metal or alloy is heated to a specific temperature. Then, cooling occurs to harden the heated material. The process aims towards changing the microstructure of the metal. Also, it helps to bring out desired mechanical, chemical, and physical characteristics.
The alteration of these properties benefits the working life of the component involved. For example, there may be increased ductility, strength, surface hardness, or temperature resistance. Heat treatment is one of the essential aspects of the metal manufacturing process. This is because it helps to improve a metal part to withstand wear and tear better.
The general definition of heat treatment may be the heating and cooling of metals. However, the heat treatment process is more controlled. While the heating and cooling processes are in place, the shape of the working metal remains intact.
During this process, the structural and physical properties of the material change to serve the desired purpose. It could also be for further metal works. Heat treatment of steel or metals plays important role in various manufacturing stages.