Annealing is one of the heat treatments that can be applied to metal. There are five basic processes related to heat treatment: hardening, surface hardening, annealing, normalizing, and tempering. A common factor among these heat treatments is that they address issues related to the metal or improve its microstructure.
When is annealing the right heat treatment to choose?
Annealing is the heat treatment chosen to address various “issues” in the metal but can also serve as a general strengthening process. Annealing ultimately reduces the hardness of the metal, increases its ductility, and relieves internal stresses.
Which heat treatments are related to the annealing heat treatment?
The heat treatments specifically categorized under annealing include normalizing and stress relieving. During normalizing, the metal is heated to a temperature above its critical point and then cooled in air. This results in a uniform and refined microstructure. Stress relieving involves heating the material to a temperature below its critical point and then cooling it to reduce internal stresses.
How is the annealing heat treatment performed?
Each type of metal is annealed at different temperatures, typically ranging from 800°C to 950°C. These values vary significantly because each type of metal must be heated to a specific temperature and maintained at that temperature for a prescribed amount of time. Afterward, the metal is cooled, either slowly or quickly, until room temperature is reached. This cooling process ensures maximum softness of the material. Controlled cooling, often achieved through furnace cooling, allows for precise temperature management.
Which steel constructions commonly undergo an annealing heat treatment?
Annealing is a critical process for various industrial constructions where mechanical properties such as strength, ductility, and freedom from internal stresses are essential. These include pipelines, pressure vessels, and heat exchangers, commonly found in the petrochemical industry, as well as components for aerospace, shipbuilding, and heavy machinery.
Delta Heat Services
Delta Heat Services was founded in 1997 and established their headquarters in Stellendam, The Netherlands. Delta Heat Services is a service aimed company. We are also qualified and experienced in heat treatment. Due to a high level of knowledge, years of experience and technology Delta Heat Services delivered numerous high profile projects worldwide. It’s possible to buy or rent our induction equipment. Read more about our induction equipment, and our other specializations right here. We also work on a project basis. Do you have a question about our services or do you want to request a quote? Please contact us and we’re happy to help you. We’re open 24 hours a day for support and advice for your projects. Delta Heat Services operates under the most current quality standards and certifications.
