Heat Treatment Service Supplier In China
Heat Treatment is a controlled thermal process used to intentionally alter the microstructure of metals and alloys, fundamentally changing their mechanical properties like hardness, strength, and toughness. It is not a surface coating, but an essential manufacturing step for creating high-performance, durable components. As a key industrial supplier in China, Celerity Precision offers a range of in-house and certified partner heat treatment services, including annealing, hardening, and stress relieving. We ensure your parts are treated to the precise specifications required to withstand the demanding conditions of their end-use application.
For components manufactured and heat-treated for maximum strength and durability, rely on the integrated services of Celerity Precision.
Your Heat Treatment Service Manufacturer
At Celerity Precision, we understand that the performance of a metal part is determined by more than just its dimensions; its internal structure is equally critical. As a true manufacturing partner, we integrate heat treatment as a core part of the production cycle for applicable materials. Our capabilities include hardening and tempering of steels to achieve specific Rockwell hardness values, annealing to soften materials for improved formability, and stress relieving to ensure dimensional stability after aggressive machining. Our processes are governed by precise time-temperature controls using calibrated furnaces to guarantee uniform and repeatable results.
By managing the machining and heat treatment coordination, we take full responsibility for the final part’s integrity. We understand the design considerations, such as accounting for potential thermal distortion and protecting threaded features from scaling. Our engineers will advise on the optimal sequence of operations—whether to machine soft and then harden, or to machine in a hardened state (hardmilling). This expertise ensures you receive a component that is not only dimensionally accurate but also metallurgically sound and fit for purpose.
Don’t leave critical thermal processing to chance. Send your requirements to Celerity Precision and get a quote for a complete, manufactured-to-perform solution.
Heat Treatment: Technical Specifications
| Feature | Description |
| Surface Roughness (Ra) | Affected. Heat treatment can alter surface roughness. High-temperature processes may create a fine scale or oxide layer, increasing the Ra value. Post-treatment cleaning or finishing is often required. |
| Applicable Materials | Primarily for Carbon Steels, Alloy Steels, Stainless Steels (e.g., 400 series), and some Titanium alloys. Certain treatments are also used for Aluminum (e.g., T6 condition). |
| Cosmetic Availability | Not Applicable. Heat treatment is a purely functional process. It often causes discoloration (from light straw to dark blue/black) and is not intended to be a cosmetic finish. |
| Visual Appearance | Varies widely. The surface will typically show a colored oxide layer, ranging from a light golden hue to a dark grey or black, depending on the process and material. The surface may appear dull or scaled. |
Advantages of Heat Treatment Surface Finish
Significantly Increased Hardness & Strength
Hardening processes like quenching and tempering dramatically increase the material's resistance to wear, abrasion, and deformation.
Improved Toughness and Ductility
Treatments like annealing and normalizing can soften metals, making them less brittle and easier to form or machine.
Enhanced Durability and Wear Resistance
A hardened surface provides a much longer service life for components subjected to friction or impact.
Stress Relief for Dimensional Stability
Relieves internal stresses induced by machining or welding, preventing warping or distortion over time or during subsequent operations.
Uniform Material Properties
Ensures that the entire part, or a specific section (case hardening), achieves consistent and predictable mechanical properties.
Tailored Metallurgical Structure
Allows for the precise engineering of a material's microstructure to achieve the optimal balance of properties for a specific application.
Heat Treatment Design Considerations
Potential for Distortion
The heating and cooling cycles can cause parts to warp, especially those with thin walls, sharp corners, or asymmetrical designs. Generous corner radii and uniform wall thickness are recommended.
Surface Finish Impact
High-temperature treatments will cause surface oxidation and scaling. If a clean surface is required post-treatment, plan for a secondary operation like sand blasting or grinding.
Dimensional Changes
Parts may experience slight, predictable growth or shrinkage during heat treatment. This must be accounted for in the pre-treatment machining dimensions for tight tolerance parts.
Hardness Specification
Clearly define the required hardness (e.g., HRC 48-52) and, if necessary, the case depth for case-hardening processes on your technical drawing.
FAQ
Is heat treatment a coating?
No, it is a thermal process that changes the internal crystal structure (metallurgy) of the metal itself to improve its mechanical properties. Nothing is added to the surface.
Will heat treatment make my parts change color?
Yes, almost always. The high temperatures create a thin oxide layer on the surface, which causes discoloration. This is a normal and expected outcome.
My drawing calls for a specific Rockwell hardness (HRC). Can you achieve that?
Absolutely. We heat treat to specific hardness ranges as a standard part of our service. Please specify the required HRC, HRB, or Vickers value on your drawing.
Will my parts warp during heat treatment?
There is always a risk of distortion, especially with complex parts. Our experts use proper support fixtures and controlled cooling rates to minimize warping. Stress relieving before final machining is also a key strategy we employ.
Should I have my parts machined before or after heat treatment?
It depends. Machining before (in a soft state) is easier and cheaper. However, for the highest precision, critical features are often finish-machined or ground after heat treatment (hardmilling/grinding), which is a more specialized process we also offer.
What is the difference between "through hardening" and "case hardening"?
“Through hardening” hardens the entire volume of the part uniformly. “Case hardening” creates a very hard outer skin (the “case”) while leaving the inner core softer and tougher.
What is annealing?
Annealing is a heat treatment process that softens metal, making it easier to machine or form. It is essentially the opposite of hardening.
Will heat treatment affect threads?
Yes, the surface oxidation can affect thread function. For critical threads, it’s common to machine them after heat treatment or to use a protective paste during the process.
How much does heat treatment add to the cost and lead time?
It is a specialized process that adds both cost and time (typically 2-4 days) to a project, but it is essential for parts that require high strength and wear resistance.
How do I specify heat treatment on my drawing?
Be specific. For example: “Heat treat to HRC 42-46,” or “Case harden to a depth of 0.5mm, HRC 58-62,” or simply “Stress relieve after rough machining.”