Improve product performance
Heat treating is a proven, cost-effective method for improving the overall performance and marketability of a product. Quality Steel Treating processes metal parts and components using high-temperature furnaces. These furnaces use intense heat to create unique beneficial qualities in the metal (much like a kiln cures pottery). The temperature often reaches thousands of degrees, altering the chemical or structural properties of the metal. Beneficial qualities that can be achieved through heat treating include:
• Softens
• Hardens
• Relieves Stress
• Improves ductility, wear resistance and machinability of parts

Atmosphere versus Vacuum
Quality performs heat treating services in either an atmosphere or vacuum environment.

Atmosphere treatments involve the use of a protective gas that improves the effectiveness of the treatment, enhances safety or protects the metal from unnecessary effects or byproducts of the treatment. At Quality, our atmospheric treatments use argon gas and air. Argon is a naturally-occurring inert gas. It is an excellent choice for working with air-sensitive metals such as Titanium, providing the right conditions when an atmosphere treatment is needed, without any unwanted disadvantages.

Vacuum treatments are conducted in a lack of atmosphere, meaning no air, oxygen or other gases are present when the treatment occurs. With certain metals and processes, an atmosphere can create chemical reactions that discolor or change the surface of the metal. Vacuum treatments eliminate these risks, adding to the marketability of the finished product.

To learn more about our specific heat treating processes and benefits, click on the links to the left of this column.

aging + curing