Heat treatment

Heat treatment is a controlled process used to alter the microstructure of metals and alloys such as steel and aluminium to impart properties which benefit the working life of a component, for example increased surface hardness, temperature resistance, ductility and strength.

Heat treatment processes include case hardening, tempering, solution and aging treatment, Specialty Stainless Steel Processes (S³P), annealing and normalising.

As the global leader in heat treatment, Bodycote offers an extensive range of thermal processing services. Our facilities process a wide variety of component sizes to exacting standards with reliable, repeatable results. Our heat treatment operations are managed by some of the best engineers and technicians in the industry, with the experience and expertise to provide vital support and a real understanding of customer requirements.

Heat treatment services:

Case hardening with subsequent hardening operation

Infusing elements into the material’s surface combined with other processes controls the consequential impact of the hardening operation. Infusing elements into the material’s surface combined with other processes controls the consequential impact of the hardening operation.

Case hardening without subsequent hardening operation

Plasma nitriding (or Ion Nitriding) is a plasma supported thermochemical case hardening that increases surface hardness, and wear and fatigue resistance by generation of a hard layer.

Hardening and tempering

Hardening and tempering is a two stage process. Hardening processes are used to impart specific mechanical properties to components. Tempering aims to remove the stresses and brittleness caused by quenching.

Solution and age

Ageing is a process used to increase strength by producing precipitates of the alloying material within the metal structure.

Specialty Stainless Steel Processes (S³P)

Specialty Stainless Steel Processes (S³P) Infusing elements into the material’s surface combined with other processes controls the consequential impact of the hardening operation.

Annealing/Normalising

Annealing is a heat treatment process used to reduce hardness, increase ductility and help eliminate internal stresses.

Ion implantation

Ion implantation is used to improve friction coefficient, adhesive wear and surface hardness of polymers and metals by bombarding surfaces with a high energy ion beam.

Stress relieving

Minimising residual stresses in the component structure thereby reduces the risk of dimensional changes during further manufacturing or final use of the component.