copper_button bronze_button
iron_button
steel_button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
close
more »
AD
close
more »

Timeline of metal processes, heat treatments and surface technology from 8700 BC to Modern Day

copper_button bronze_button
iron_button
steel_button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button
More Button

As demonstrated, the working of metal goes back nearly 10,000 years but much of our scientific understanding of how we can change the properties of metal to better suit mankind’s evolving needs has come in the last 200 years. Bodycote is at the forefront of modern heat treatment and continues to collaborate with customers in developing materials to meet or exceed their application requirements.

As a truly global provider of thermal processing services, Bodycote is able to offer a significant advantage to its customers. Through an international network of plants, Bodycote utilises a wealth of knowledge, experience and specialist expertise to deliver quality service when and where it’s needed.

Bodycote’s thermal processing services are comprised of a number of core technologies, which include heat treatments, metal joining, hot isostatic pressing and surface technology.

The global network operates from over 180 locations, with customers benefitting from Bodycote’s comprehensive range of services and expertise. From an industry that dates back 10,000 years, Bodycote continues to develop its heritage and focus on the future.

Creative Commons Licence
Interactive History of Metallurgy by Bodycote is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Based on a work at https://www.bodycote.com/.
What is copper?Close buttonClose button
Copper and tin are used to make bronzeClose buttonClose button
4000 BC - Early copper miningClose buttonClose button
3500 BC - Ötzi the icemanClose buttonClose button
Types of bronzeClose buttonClose button
2800 BC - Copper working in ChinaClose buttonClose button
2500 BC - The advent of brazingClose buttonClose button
2500 BC - Hattic royal tombsClose buttonClose button
2000 BC - Bronze in ChinaClose buttonClose button
1800 BC - Iron working in IndiaClose buttonClose button
1800 BC - Anatolia creating steelClose buttonClose button
1600 BC - The Hittite's use of iron weaponryClose buttonClose button
1500 BC - Shang Dynasty bronzeClose buttonClose button
1400 BC - Hardening processesClose buttonClose button
1400 BC - East African steelClose buttonClose button
1200 BC - Tempered martensiteClose buttonClose button
650 BC - Spartan steelClose buttonClose button
600 BC - Wootz steelClose buttonClose button
600 BC - Copper Central AmericaClose buttonClose button
400 BC - Quench hardened steelClose buttonClose button
200 BC - Sinhalese carbon steelClose buttonClose button
AD 99 - The Haya peopleClose buttonClose button
AD 800 - Crucible steel invented Close buttonClose button
AD 1161 - Song China steelClose buttonClose button
AD 1200 - East Asia 'Bessemer'Close buttonClose button
AD 1623 - Pascal's LawClose buttonClose button
AD 1700 - The first UK foundriesClose buttonClose button
AD 1740 - Modern crucible steelClose buttonClose button
AD 1784 - The puddling processClose buttonClose button
AD 1846 - The Bessemer Process is patentedClose buttonClose button
AD 1895 - The boriding processClose buttonClose button
AD 1907 - The electric arc furnaceClose buttonClose button
AD 1908 - Nitriding patentClose buttonClose button
AD 1911 - Ion implantation discoveredClose buttonClose button
AD 1912 - Flame spraying inventedClose buttonClose button
AD 1913 - The hot isostatic pressing patentClose buttonClose button
AD 1923 - Anodising processClose buttonClose button
AD 1930 - Austempering processClose buttonClose button
AD 1931 - The electron microscope is inventedClose buttonClose button
AD 1950 - BOS (Basic Oxygen Steelmaking)Close buttonClose button
AD 1950 - The invention of plasma sprayingClose buttonClose button
AD 1952 - Electron beam weldingClose buttonClose button
AD 1956 - The first specific Hot Isostatic Pressing patent grantedClose buttonClose button
AD 1960 - HIP applied to defectsClose buttonClose button
AD 1968 - Vaccuum Carburising techniques inventedClose buttonClose button
AD 1980 - HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) coating technique inventedClose buttonClose button
AD 1980 - Hot Isostatic Press treatment in the modern eraClose buttonClose button
AD 1985 - Specialty Stainless Steel Processes (S3P)Close buttonClose button
AD 1996 - Development of the Corr-I-Dur® thermochemical heat treatmentClose buttonClose button