Heat Treatment of Metals

Presented by:
Gouri Patil
Masters in Material Science & Engineering
Guided by:
Dr. S. H. Kameshwari Devi
Associate Professor
PST Department
SJCE
Discussion topics
1. Introduction to heat treatment

2. Objectives

3. Classification

4. Description

5. Merits & demerits

Heat treatment
• It comprises of a series of thermal and mechanical metal-working techniques that alter metal
properties.

• It changes physical, mechanical, and sometimes chemical properties through heating and
cooling of metals such as, ductility, hardness, temperature resistance, formability,
machinability, strength, etc.

• Heat treatment methods vary depending on the type of metal and the specific properties
required.

• Majority ferrous metals are considered for heat treatments. So, different steel grades
constitute about 80% of heat-treated metals. Even some non-ferrous materials are also
suitable for heat treatment.
Fundamentals of heat treatment
• Principle theory - An alloy when heated above a
certain temperature, undergoes a structural adjustment
or stabilization when cooled to room temperature.

• In this operation, the cooling rate plays an important

role on which the structural modification is mainly
based.
Objectives of heat treatment
• To improve machinability.
• To change or refine grain size.
• Alter magnetic & electrical properties
• To relieve internal stresses of the material induced during cold or hot working.
• To improve mechanical properties like tensile strength, hardness, ductility etc.
• To impart wear resistance, corrosion resistance & shock resistance.
• To produce a hard surface on ductile interior.
• To remove trapped gases.
Classification of heat treatment processes
 Table 1: Heat treatment temperature for different metals & alloys

Steels 1100 to 1260o C

Copper & its alloys 760 to 925 o C

Mg 315 o C

Al & its alloys 370 to 455 o C

Stress relieving
• This involves heating of a metal or localized area around a weld to a specific
temperature, holding it at that temperature for enough time to reduce the stresses present
in the material, and then cooling the material at a slow rate so as to not allow the stresses
to re-develop.
Objectives
• Minimize residual stresses in the structure
• To reduce the risk of dimensional changes during further manufacturing or final use
of the component.
Quenching
• Involves heating of metal to the temperature above
its recrystallization temperature but below melting
point and then immersing it in a quenching medium
(Water or oil) to quickly cool it.

• By rapidly cooling the metal, you can prevent the

formation of different microstructures within the
metal to achieve the desired properties.
Objectives

• To harden a metal by inducing a martensite phase transformation

• To achieve maximum hardness for engineering applications

Tempering
• The quenched metal is taken and heated to a temperature much below red hot
condition and then cooled slowly.

• In the process – Formation of an oxide layer which imparts color to the metal i.e.
Steel at 200-300℃ gives yellow color and above blue color.

• This makes metal less brittle and more harder.

Annealing
A process in which the metal is heated to a temperature, held at it and finally cooling at a
very slow rate.
Objectives
• To soften the metal
• Produce a definite microstructure
• Enhance machinability
• Refine grain size
• Reduce gaseous contents in steel
• Remove internal stresses
• Modify magnetic & electric properties
Normalizing
• A process of heating the metal and holding at that temperature for a very long time
followed by air cooling.

• Due to air cooling, normalized components show slightly different structure and
properties than annealed components.

Objectives

• To produce a homogenized structure

• To achieve better surface finish

• To arrest crack propagation

 Table 2: Merits & demerits of heat treatments of metals

Advantages Disadvantages

Increased strength and ductility Heat treatment can damage some materials

Improved wear resistance It can make a material more brittle and less ductile

Enhanced corrosion resistance Can cause distortion in some materials

No internal stresses are present An expensive process