Home/Heat Treatment Guide

Heat Treatment Guide

Reference guide to heat treatment processes for engineering steels, aluminium alloys and cast irons.

Temperature Ranges
Low Tempering
150–250 °C
High Tempering
500–680 °C
Nitriding
450–580 °C
Hardening (steel)
820–1060 °C
Carburising
880–940 °C
Annealing (steel)
600–950 °C
Solution HT (Al)
465–540 °C
Ageing (Al)
100–200 °C
HSS Austenitising
1190–1220 °C
Annealing
Heating to a specific temperature followed by slow cooling, to soften the material, relieve internal stresses, and improve ductility and machinability.
Temperature Range
500 – 950 °C depending on process type
Cooling
Furnace cool (full anneal), air cool (normalise), or furnace to below 200°C then air
Materials
All steels, cast irons, aluminium alloys (solution anneal)
Purpose
Soften, relieve stress, refine grain, improve machinability or formability
Types / Sub-processes
Full Annealing
Steel is heated above Ac3 (830-950 °C depending on grade), held, then cooled very slowly in the furnace (≤30 °C/h). Produces maximum softness and ductility. Used before heavy cold work or for stress relief.
Soft Annealing (+A)
Heating to just below Ac1 with a long hold time to produce spheroidised (globular) cementite. Gives maximum machinability. Typical for high-carbon and alloy steels before machining.
Normalising (+N)
Heating above Ac3 then air cooling. Refines grain structure and gives uniform, consistent properties. Slighlty harder than full anneal. Standard delivery condition for many structural steels.
Process Annealing
Heating to just below Ac1 (recrystallisation anneal) in cold-worked low-carbon steel to restore ductility between cold forming stages.
Stress Relief Anneal
Heating to 500-620 °C (below Ac1) for 1-4 h then slow cooling. Removes residual stresses from welding, machining or cold work without significantly changing hardness.
Spheroidising Anneal
Extended hold at 680-720 °C, or cycling through Ac1. Converts lamellar pearlite to globular cementite (spheroidite). Used for high-carbon steels (C55-C100) before machining or deep drawing.
Materials in Database with This Process (58)
Material Process Temp. min Temp. max Medium Hardness
C10 Annealing 850 °C 900 °C Furnace <=HB 120
Cu-ETP (Pure Copper) Annealing 150 °C 500 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere ( HB 40-65
CuNi10Fe (Cupronickel 90/10) Annealing 700 °C 850 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere HB 60-95
CuNi30Mn1Fe (70/30 Copper-Nickel, High Alloy) Annealing 700 °C 800 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere HB 90-130
CuSn6 (Phosphor Bronze 6%) Annealing 450 °C 700 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere HB 80-120
CuZn20Al2 (Aluminium Brass) Annealing 500 °C 650 °C Inert atmosphere HB 80-110
CuZn36Pb3 (Standard Free-Cutting Brass) Annealing 450 °C 600 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere HB 75-105
CuZn37 (Brass) Annealing 425 °C 650 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere HB 65-95
CuZn39Pb3 (Free-Machining Brass) Annealing 450 °C 650 °C Furnace or HV oven HB 85-100
EN AW-2024-T3 Annealing 415 °C 435 °C Furnace HB ~47
EN AW-3003-H14 Annealing 345 °C 415 °C Furnace HB 28-38
EN AW-5049 (Marine-Grade General Purpose Al-Mg) Annealing 340 °C 410 °C Furnace HB 45-60
EN AW-6061-T6 Annealing 415 °C 440 °C Furnace HB 30-45
EN AW-6063-T6 Annealing 415 °C 445 °C Furnace HB 42-50
EN AW-7075-T6 Annealing 415 °C 435 °C Furnace HB ~60
Monel 400 (NiCu30Fe) Annealing 760 °C 925 °C Air or inert Rm 480-690 MPa
Ti Grade 12 (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni -- Cost-Effective Corrosion-Resistant) Annealing 600 °C 700 °C Vacuum or inert gas Rm 480-655 MPa
Ti Grade 2 (CP Titanium) Annealing 650 °C 750 °C Vacuum or inert gas Rm 345-440 MPa
X17CrNi16-2 (431) Annealing 750 °C 820 °C Furnace <=HB 260
X20Cr13 (420) Annealing 800 °C 850 °C Furnace <=HB 248
X2CrTiNb18 (AISI 439 Extended Ferritic) Annealing 870 °C 930 °C Furnace <=HB 183
X6Cr17 (430) Annealing 750 °C 900 °C Furnace <=HB 183
EN-GJS-400-15 Ferritic Annealing 860 °C 920 °C Furnace -10 to -20 HB
16Mo3 Normalizing 880 °C 940 °C Still Air Delivery
16Mo3 (0.3Mo Boiler Steel) Normalizing 890 °C 940 °C Still Air Re>=275 MPa / creep resis
C15 (Low-Carbon Case Hardening Grade) Normalizing 890 °C 920 °C Still Air Standard delivery
C22 Normalizing 890 °C 920 °C Still Air <=HB 165
C25 (Medium-Low Carbon Machine Steel) Normalizing 860 °C 900 °C Still Air Standard delivery
C35 Normalizing 840 °C 875 °C Still Air Standard
C45 Normalizing 820 °C 860 °C Still Air <=HB 229
P250GH (Very Basic Boiler Steel -- Small Vessels) Normalizing 870 °C 930 °C Still Air Re>=250 MPa
P265GH Normalizing 880 °C 940 °C Still Air Fine grain
S235JR Normalizing 870 °C 920 °C Still Air Standard
S275JR Normalizing 880 °C 940 °C Still Air Standard
S355J2 Normalizing 900 °C 940 °C Still Air No change
S355K2 (High-Energy Cold-Impact Structural) Normalizing 870 °C 910 °C Still Air Fine grain -- required fo
S460N Normalizing 890 °C 940 °C Still Air Delivery condition.
X8Ni9-XX (Nickel Steel Weld Consumable Note) / P355NL2 (Low-Temp Fine-Grain PV Steel) Normalizing 900 °C 950 °C Still Air Fine grain / impact guara
15CrNi6 Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 217
16MnCr5 Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 207
18CrNiMo7-6 Soft Annealing 650 °C 710 °C Furnace <=HB 248
20MnCr5 Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 235
20MnCrS5 (Free-Machining Case Hardening) Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 215
21NiCrMo2 (Balanced Ni-Cr-Mo Case Hardening) Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 215
25CrMo4 Soft Annealing 640 °C 680 °C Furnace <=HB 235
30CrNiMo8 Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 295
34CrAlNi7-10 (Nitriding Steel -- High Al, Deep Case) Soft Annealing 680 °C 720 °C Furnace <=HB 260
34CrNiMo6 Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 285
36NiCrMo16 Soft Annealing 640 °C 670 °C Furnace <=HB 295
41Cr4 Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 241
42CrMo4 Soft Annealing 680 °C 710 °C Furnace <=HB 241
50CrMo4 Soft Annealing 680 °C 720 °C Furnace <=HB 248
90MnCrV8 (O1) Soft Annealing 740 °C 800 °C Furnace <=HB 220
C45 Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace <=HB 207
HS6-5-2 (M2 HSS) Soft Annealing 840 °C 880 °C Furnace <=HB 269
X153CrMoV12 (D2) Soft Annealing 830 °C 860 °C Furnace <=HB 255
X30WCrV9-3 (S2/S5 Family Medium-Alloy Shock Steel) Soft Annealing 760 °C 800 °C Furnace <=HB 235
X40CrMoV5-1 (H13) Soft Annealing 840 °C 880 °C Furnace <=HB 235
Hardening (Quenching)
Rapid cooling from the austenitising temperature to trap carbon in a supersaturated solid solution, forming martensite — a very hard, brittle microstructure.
Temperature Range
820 – 1220 °C (austenitising); quench medium at 20-200 °C
Cooling
Rapid — oil, water, polymer solution, salt bath, gas (vacuum furnace)
Materials
Medium/high carbon steels (C35-C60), alloy steels (42CrMo4, 34CrNiMo6), case-hardening steels
Purpose
Maximum surface or through hardness. Followed immediately by tempering.
Types / Sub-processes
Through Hardening
Austenitise (typically 820-1060 °C depending on steel), hold to achieve uniform temperature through cross-section, then quench rapidly in oil, water or polymer solution. Used for alloy steels requiring uniform high hardness.
Case Hardening (Carburising)
Low-carbon steel is exposed to a carbon-rich atmosphere at 880-940 °C. Carbon diffuses into the surface (0.3-2.5 mm depth), then quenched. Achieves HRC 58-64 surface, tough core. Used for gears, camshafts, shafts.
Carbonitriding
Combined carburising and nitriding in an ammonia-enriched gas atmosphere at 820-870 °C. Produces a thin, hard case (0.1-0.5 mm) with improved corrosion resistance.
Induction Hardening
Localised heating by electromagnetic induction, followed by immediate water/polymer spray quench. Very fast process (seconds). Selectively hardens gear teeth, bearing journals, crankshaft journals. Case depth 1-5 mm.
Flame Hardening
Surface heated by oxy-acetylene or oxy-propane flame, then quenched by water spray. Less controlled than induction but suitable for large parts or localised areas. Case depth 1-6 mm.
Martempering (Marquenching)
Quench into a hot bath (150-200 °C) and hold until temperature is uniform, then air cool. Reduces distortion and cracking vs direct oil quench. Used for complex shaped parts.
Materials in Database with This Process (31)
Material Process Temp. min Temp. max Medium Hardness
100Cr6 (Bearing Steel) Austenitizing 830 °C 860 °C Oil or salt bath HRC 64-67 (before temper)
102Cr6 (Reduced-Alloy Cold Work / Bearing-Adjacent Grade) Austenitizing 830 °C 860 °C Oil quench HRC 62-66 before temper
25CrMo4 Austenitizing 840 °C 880 °C Oil HRC 48-55
30CrNiMo8 Austenitizing 820 °C 870 °C Oil or polymer HRC 50-58 (section depend
34CrNiMo6 Austenitizing 820 °C 880 °C Oil or polymer quench HRC 52-58
36NiCrMo16 Austenitizing 830 °C 870 °C Oil HRC 54-62
38Si7 Austenitizing 860 °C 900 °C Oil HRC 52-58
41Cr4 Austenitizing 840 °C 880 °C Oil HRC 50-58
42CrMo4 Austenitizing 820 °C 870 °C Oil HRC 52-58
50CrMo4 Austenitizing 820 °C 860 °C Oil quench HRC 53-60
60SiCr7 Austenitizing 900 °C 950 °C Oil HRC 52-58
90MnCrV8 (O1) Austenitizing 790 °C 820 °C Oil ONLY HRC 63-66 (before temper)
C35 Austenitizing 820 °C 860 °C Oil HRC 48-56
C55 Austenitizing 800 °C 840 °C Oil HRC 56-62
C60 Austenitizing 790 °C 830 °C Oil HRC 58-64
C75 (High Carbon Spring Steel) Austenitizing 790 °C 830 °C Oil ONLY HRC 60-63
C80W1 (Tool / Spring) Austenitizing 780 °C 820 °C Water (1-3% NaCl brine) for th HRC 62-66 (before temper)
HS6-5-2 (M2 HSS) Austenitizing 1190 °C 1220 °C Salt bath or vacuum furnace HRC 62-65
X153CrMoV12 (D2) Austenitizing 1010 °C 1040 °C Vacuum furnace (preferred) HRC 63-65 before temper
X17CrNi16-2 (431) Austenitizing 980 °C 1050 °C Oil or air (thin sections) HRC 35-45
X20Cr13 (420) Austenitizing 1000 °C 1050 °C Oil (preferred) or air HRC 48-52
X30WCrV9-3 (S2/S5 Family Medium-Alloy Shock Steel) Austenitizing 900 °C 950 °C Oil quench (or air for lower h HRC 56-60 before temper
X40CrMoV5-1 (H13) Austenitizing 1000 °C 1060 °C Vacuum furnace HRC 52-56 before temper
15CrNi6 Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic HRC 58-63 case
16MnCr5 Carburising 880 °C 940 °C Gas HRC 58-63
18CrNiMo7-6 Carburising 880 °C 940 °C Gas HRC 60-64 surface
20MnCr5 Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic HRC 59-63 case
C10 Carburising 880 °C 920 °C Gas HRC 58-63
C10E (Case-Hardening) Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas (endothermic) HRC 59-63 surface
C15E Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic HRC 60-64
C45 Induction Hardening 820 °C 880 °C - HRC 52-58 surface
Tempering
Reheating a hardened (martensitic) steel to a temperature below Ac1, then cooling. Reduces brittleness and internal stresses while trading some hardness for improved toughness.
Temperature Range
150 – 680 °C depending on required hardness and steel grade
Cooling
Air cool (most cases), or oil cool for some spring steels
Materials
All hardened steels; always performed immediately after quenching
Purpose
Reduce brittleness, relieve quench stresses, achieve target hardness + toughness balance
Types / Sub-processes
Low Tempering (150-250 °C)
Minimal hardness reduction (HRC 60 → 58-62). Stress relief only — brittle martensite partially converted to tempered martensite. Used for cutting tools, dies, bearings where maximum hardness is needed.
Medium Tempering (300-450 °C)
HRC drops to 45-55. Used for springs, die-casting tools, hot work tool steels. Secondary hardness peak appears at 500-560 °C in tool steels (from Mo/V/W carbide precipitation).
High Tempering (500-680 °C)
HRC 20-40. Used for structural components (shafts, bolts, gear blanks) where toughness is priority. Combined with quenching this is called "Quench + Temper" (Q+T or Vergüten in German).
Secondary Hardness Tempering
Tool steels (H13, M2, D2) show secondary hardness peak at 510-580 °C due to fine carbide precipitation. These are always double or triple tempered to convert retained austenite.
Double / Triple Tempering
Mandatory for high-alloy tool steels and high-speed steels. Each cycle: heat, hold 1-2h, air cool to room temperature, repeat. Ensures full conversion of retained austenite.
Nitriding
Surface hardening by diffusion of nitrogen into the steel at sub-critical temperatures (450-580 °C). No quenching required. Minimal distortion. Achieves surface hardness HV 700-1100.
Temperature Range
450 – 580 °C (sub-critical — no phase transformation)
Cooling
Slow furnace cool; no quenching required
Materials
Nitriding steels (31CrMoV9, 38CrMoAl), alloy steels (42CrMo4, 34CrNiMo6), tool steels (H13)
Purpose
High surface hardness, improved fatigue life, improved wear resistance, minimal distortion
Types / Sub-processes
Gas Nitriding
Steel (pre-Q+T) exposed to ammonia (NH₃) atmosphere at 500-530 °C for 20-80 h. Nitrogen diffuses into surface forming hard iron nitrides. Case depth 0.1-0.7 mm. White layer (compound layer) forms.
Plasma / Ion Nitriding
Nitrogen ions bombard the surface in a vacuum at 450-530 °C. No white layer formed. Better dimensional control than gas nitriding. Shorter treatment time. Case depth 0.1-0.5 mm.
Salt Bath Nitriding (Ferritic Nitrocarburising)
Treatment in molten salt at 560-580 °C for 1-4 h. Produces thin but hard and corrosion-resistant compound layer. Used for press tools and complex-shaped components.
Nitrocarburising
Combined nitriding with carbon addition. Produces epsilon compound layer (Fe₂₋₃N) with improved corrosion resistance. Commonly used for automotive components.
Materials in Database with This Process (3)
Material Process Temp. min Temp. max Medium Hardness
34CrNiMo6 Nitriding 500 °C 530 °C Gas or plasma HV 650-950 surface
42CrMo4 Nitriding 500 °C 530 °C Gas (NH3) or plasma HV 600-900 surface
X40CrMoV5-1 (H13) Nitriding 480 °C 520 °C Gas (NH3) or plasma Surface HV 900-1100; core
Solution Annealing / Age Hardening
Process used for aluminium alloys, stainless steels and precipitation-hardening alloys. Solution treatment dissolves alloying elements; ageing causes fine precipitates to form, increasing strength.
Temperature Range
460 – 1120 °C (solution); 100 – 200 °C (ageing)
Cooling
Rapid quench (water, polymer) after solution; air cool after ageing
Materials
Aluminium alloys (2xxx, 6xxx, 7xxx), austenitic stainless steels, duplex stainless, PH stainless
Purpose
Maximum strength (age hardening), corrosion resistance restoration (stainless solution anneal)
Types / Sub-processes
Solution Heat Treatment (SHT)
Aluminium alloys heated to 460-540 °C (specific to alloy), held, then rapidly quenched in cold water. Dissolves all strengthening precipitates into solid solution.
Natural Ageing (T4)
After SHT, alloy is left at room temperature for 4+ days. Mg₂Si (6xxx) or AlCuMg (2xxx) precipitates form spontaneously. Moderate strength. Good formability.
Artificial Ageing (T6)
After SHT, alloy is held in oven at 120-180 °C for 4-24 h. Fine coherent precipitates form — peak strength. Used for 6xxx (170°C/8h), 7xxx (121°C/24h), 2xxx alloys.
Over-Ageing (T73/T76)
Extended ageing beyond peak. Reduces strength vs T6 but dramatically improves stress corrosion cracking (SCC) resistance. Standard for 7075 in structural aerospace.
Stainless Solution Annealing
Austenitic stainless steels heated to 1010-1120 °C to dissolve chromium carbides, then rapidly water quenched. Restores full corrosion resistance after fabrication or welding.
Precipitation Hardening PH
PH stainless steels (17-4PH, 15-5PH) — solution anneal then age at 480-620 °C. Combines stainless properties with high strength (800-1300 MPa).
Materials in Database with This Process (20)
Material Process Temp. min Temp. max Medium Hardness
CuFe2P (High-Conductivity Leadframe Copper) Solution Annealing 900 °C 950 °C Water quench Rm ~250 MPa -- soft, form
Incoloy 020 (Alloy 20 -- Sulphuric Acid Specialist) Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1090 °C Water quench Full sensitisation immuni
Inconel 625 (NiCr22Mo9Nb) Solution Annealing 1093 °C 1204 °C Water or rapid air Full corrosion resistance
N08904 (904L) Solution Annealing 1100 °C 1150 °C Water quench <=HB 220
Nicrofer 6025HT / Alloy 602 CA Variant Note -- Nimonic 80A Reference Duplicate Check Skip Solution Annealing 1080 °C 1100 °C Air cool or water quench Rm ~700 MPa -- machinable
X12CrNi25-21 (310S) Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1150 °C Water quench <=HB 217
X2CrNi19-11 (304L) Solution Annealing 1010 °C 1120 °C Water quench <=HB 210
X2CrNiMo17-12-2 (AISI 316L) Solution Annealing 1010 °C 1120 °C Water quench <=HB 217
X2CrNiMoN17-13-5 (317L) Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1120 °C Water quench <=HB 217
X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 (Duplex 2205) Solution Annealing 1020 °C 1100 °C Water quench — rapid HB 290 max
X2CrNiMoN25-7-4 (Super Duplex 2507) Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1120 °C Rapid water quench HB 310 max
X2CrNiN23-4 (Duplex 2304) Solution Annealing 950 °C 1100 °C Water quench HB 290 max
X5CrNi18-10 (AISI 304) Solution Annealing 1010 °C 1120 °C Water quench <=HB 215 / <=HRC 22
X5CrNiMo17-12-2 (316) Solution Annealing 1010 °C 1120 °C Water quench <=HB 215
X6CrNiNb18-10 (AISI 347 Niobium-Stabilised) Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1150 °C Water quench <=HB 201
X6CrNiTi18-10 (321) Solution Annealing 1020 °C 1120 °C Water quench <=HB 217
EN AW-2024-T3 Solution Heat Treatment 488 °C 502 °C Water quench (<5 sec) HB ~105
EN AW-6082-T6 Solution Heat Treatment 520 °C 540 °C Water quench HB ~60
EN AW-7075-T6 Solution Heat Treatment 465 °C 480 °C Water quench (cold) HB ~60
EN AW-7075-T651 Solution Heat Treatment 460 °C 490 °C Water quench (within 5 sec) HB ~80
Surface / Thermo-Chemical Treatments
Processes that modify the chemical composition or structure of the material surface only, leaving the core properties unchanged. Includes carburising, nitriding, boriding and related processes.
Temperature Range
700 – 1100 °C depending on process
Cooling
Process-dependent: quench (carburising), furnace cool (most others)
Materials
Steels primarily (low-carbon for carburising, alloy steels for nitriding). Some processes applicable to cast iron.
Purpose
Hard, wear-resistant surface with tough core. Each process creates a distinct case composition.
Types / Sub-processes
Carburising
Low-carbon steel (0.1-0.25% C) heated in carbon-rich atmosphere (880-940 °C). Carbon diffuses into surface creating high-carbon case (0.8-1.0% C surface). Case depth 0.3-2.5 mm. Quench + low temper after.
Carbonitriding
Combined C + N diffusion. Lower temperature than carburising (820-870 °C). Shallower case but improved corrosion resistance. Good for thin-section parts.
Boriding
Boron diffusion at 700-1000 °C. Produces very hard boride layer (HV 1400-2000). Excellent wear and corrosion resistance. Used for tool steels, pump plungers.
Chromising
Chromium diffusion into steel surface at 950-1100 °C. Improves corrosion and oxidation resistance. Thin layer (0.01-0.1 mm).
Sulphonitrocarburising
Combined treatment adding S + N + C to surface in salt bath. Improves sliding wear and reduces friction. Common for cam followers and pump components.
TD Process (Thermal Diffusion)
Vanadium carbide coating at 900-1100 °C. Extremely hard (HV 2800). Excellent adhesive wear resistance. Used for deep drawing dies, cold forming tools.
Materials in Database with This Process (7)
Material Process Temp. min Temp. max Medium Hardness
15CrNi6 Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic HRC 58-63 case
16MnCr5 Carburising 880 °C 940 °C Gas HRC 58-63
18CrNiMo7-6 Carburising 880 °C 940 °C Gas HRC 60-64 surface
20MnCr5 Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic HRC 59-63 case
C10 Carburising 880 °C 920 °C Gas HRC 58-63
C10E (Case-Hardening) Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas (endothermic) HRC 59-63 surface
C15E Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic HRC 60-64
Austempering / Bainitic Hardening
Quench to an intermediate temperature (250-400 °C) and hold until bainite transformation is complete. Results in better toughness than martensite at the same hardness.
Temperature Range
250 – 400 °C (salt bath holding temperature)
Cooling
Fast quench to salt bath, then air cool after hold
Materials
High-carbon steels (C60, 60SiCr7), spring steels, ductile iron (GJS grades)
Purpose
Better toughness/strength balance than tempered martensite; reduced distortion vs conventional Q+T
Types / Sub-processes
Austempering of Steel
Austenitise (820-870 °C), quench into hot salt bath at 250-400 °C, hold 30-120 min until bainitic transformation is complete, air cool. No tempering needed. HRC 40-55.
Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI)
GJS ductile iron austenitised at 820-940 °C, quenched into salt bath at 250-400 °C and held for 30-120 min. Produces ausferrite structure. Achieves 800-1400 MPa with 1-12% elongation — exceeding many alloy steels at lower density. Standard for ADI crankshafts, gears, sprockets.
Bainitic Spring Steel
High-carbon steel (e.g. 60SiCr7) processed to lower bainite. Replaces traditional Q+T for spring applications. Better fatigue and SCC resistance.
All Heat Treatment Database Records
Complete table of all heat treatment processes from the material database.
Material Category HT Type Min °C Max °C Medium Duration Hardness
PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone) Engineering Plastics 134 C autoclave sterilisation (very high cycle life) 134 °C 134 °C Steam autoclave Standard 134 C/3-18 min cycle Maintains properties for
Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) Titanium Alloys Aging (after STA) 500 °C 540 °C Vacuum or Ar 4-8 h HB ~380-420
X12CrNiCoMoWV12-10-3 (Ultra-High-Temp Turbine Spring) Spring Steels Aging (precipitation hardening) 550 °C 600 °C Air oven 4-16 h HRC 38-42 / Rm 1300-1450
X5CrNiCuNb16-4 (17-4PH) Stainless Steels Aging H1025 540 °C 565 °C Air oven 4 h HRC 35-40 / Rm 1070 MPa
X5CrNiCuNb16-4 (17-4PH) Stainless Steels Aging H1150 605 °C 635 °C Air oven 4 h HRC 28-32 / Rm 930 MPa
X5CrNiCuNb16-4 (17-4PH) Stainless Steels Aging H900 470 °C 485 °C Air oven (precision +-8 C) 1 h HRC 40-44 / Rm 1310 MPa
X5CrNiCuNb16-4 (17-4PH) Stainless Steels Aging H925 495 °C 510 °C Air oven 4 h HRC 38-43 / Rm 1170 MPa
CuSn8 (Phosphor Bronze) Copper Alloys Anneal 450 °C 650 °C Inert or H2/N2 atmosphere 30-60 min HB 85-110
C10 Carbon Steels Annealing 850 °C 900 °C Furnace 1 h <=HB 120
Cu-ETP (Pure Copper) Copper Alloys Annealing 150 °C 500 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere ( As required HB 40-65
CuNi10Fe (Cupronickel 90/10) Copper Alloys Annealing 700 °C 850 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere 20-60 min HB 60-95
CuNi30Mn1Fe (70/30 Copper-Nickel, High Alloy) Copper Alloys Annealing 700 °C 800 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere 20-60 min HB 90-130
CuSn6 (Phosphor Bronze 6%) Copper Alloys Annealing 450 °C 700 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere 20-60 min HB 80-120
CuZn20Al2 (Aluminium Brass) Copper Alloys Annealing 500 °C 650 °C Inert atmosphere 20-60 min HB 80-110
CuZn36Pb3 (Standard Free-Cutting Brass) Copper Alloys Annealing 450 °C 600 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere 20-60 min HB 75-105
CuZn37 (Brass) Copper Alloys Annealing 425 °C 650 °C Inert or reducing atmosphere 20-60 min HB 65-95
CuZn39Pb3 (Free-Machining Brass) Copper Alloys Annealing 450 °C 650 °C Furnace or HV oven 15-60 min HB 85-100
EN AW-2024-T3 Aluminium Alloys Annealing 415 °C 435 °C Furnace 2-3 h HB ~47
EN AW-3003-H14 Aluminium Alloys Annealing 345 °C 415 °C Furnace 1-3 h HB 28-38
EN AW-5049 (Marine-Grade General Purpose Al-Mg) Aluminium Alloys Annealing 340 °C 410 °C Furnace 1-3 h HB 45-60
EN AW-6061-T6 Aluminium Alloys Annealing 415 °C 440 °C Furnace 2-3 h HB 30-45
EN AW-6063-T6 Aluminium Alloys Annealing 415 °C 445 °C Furnace 2-3 h HB 42-50
EN AW-7075-T6 Aluminium Alloys Annealing 415 °C 435 °C Furnace 2 h HB ~60
Monel 400 (NiCu30Fe) Heat-Resistant Alloys Annealing 760 °C 925 °C Air or inert 15-60 min Rm 480-690 MPa
Ti Grade 12 (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni -- Cost-Effective Corrosion-Resistant) Titanium Alloys Annealing 600 °C 700 °C Vacuum or inert gas 1-2 h Rm 480-655 MPa
Ti Grade 2 (CP Titanium) Titanium Alloys Annealing 650 °C 750 °C Vacuum or inert gas 1-3 h Rm 345-440 MPa
X17CrNi16-2 (431) Stainless Steels Annealing 750 °C 820 °C Furnace 3-6 h <=HB 260
X20Cr13 (420) Stainless Steels Annealing 800 °C 850 °C Furnace 3-5 h <=HB 248
X2CrTiNb18 (AISI 439 Extended Ferritic) Stainless Steels Annealing 870 °C 930 °C Furnace 1-2 h <=HB 183
X6Cr17 (430) Stainless Steels Annealing 750 °C 900 °C Furnace 1-3 h <=HB 183
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulphide) Engineering Plastics Annealing (crystallisation) 200 °C 220 °C Circulating air oven 1-4 h Increased crystallinity;
EN-GJL-350 (Maximum Strength Grey Iron) Cast Iron Annealing (for machinability, if needed) 700 °C 760 °C Furnace 2-4 h Reduced hardness
EN-GJL-200 Cast Iron Annealing (graphitising) 680 °C 750 °C Furnace 2-5 h HB 140-180
Ti-3Al-2.5V (Grade 9 -- Hydraulic Tubing Titanium) Titanium Alloys Annealing (if maximum formability needed) 700 °C 815 °C Vacuum or inert gas 1-2 h Rm 550-720 MPa -- softer,
POM-C (Polyoxymethylene / Acetal Copolymer) Engineering Plastics Annealing (large machined stock) 100 °C 120 °C Oil or air oven 2-4 h Stress relief; improved d
PEI (Polyetherimide / Ultem) Engineering Plastics Annealing (machined parts) 150 °C 165 °C Circulating air oven 2-4 h Stress relief; improves d
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Engineering Plastics Annealing (machined parts) 60 °C 70 °C Air oven 1-2 h Stress relief
PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone) Engineering Plastics Annealing (machined parts) 170 °C 190 °C Precision air oven 2-3 h Stress relief
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Engineering Plastics Annealing (machined) 70 °C 80 °C Air oven 1-2 h Stress relief
PC (Polycarbonate) Engineering Plastics Annealing (machined/moulded parts) 120 °C 130 °C Air oven 30 min per 3mm thickness (min 1h) Stress relief; minimal ch
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) Engineering Plastics Annealing (moulded/machined parts) 200 °C 220 °C Circulating air oven 1-4 h Crystallinity ~30-35%
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) Engineering Plastics Annealing (moulded/machined parts) 200 °C 220 °C Circulating air oven 1-4 h Crystallinity ~30-35%
EN AW-5083-H111 Aluminium Alloys Annealing (O temper) 345 °C 415 °C Furnace 2-3 h HB 65-75
EN AW-1050A Aluminium Alloys Annealing (O) 200 °C 300 °C Furnace 1-3 h HB 20-30
EN AW-5052 Aluminium Alloys Annealing (O) 345 °C 415 °C Furnace 2-3 h HB 47-58
EN AW-6082-T6 Aluminium Alloys Annealing (O) 345 °C 415 °C Furnace 2-3 h HB 40-55
Ni-Resist D2 (EN-GJL-NiCr20-2) Cast Iron Annealing (stress relief) 850 °C 900 °C Furnace 2-4 h Stress relief only; no st
EN AW-6060-T66 (Architectural Extrusion Alloy) Aluminium Alloys Anodising (standard finishing) — — Sulphuric acid anodising, 15-2 Standard anodising line Excellent, consistent ano
EN AW-6063-T6 Aluminium Alloys Artificial Aging (T6) 175 °C 185 °C Circulating oven 8 h HB 60-73
EN AW-6082-T6 Aluminium Alloys Artificial Aging (T6) 160 °C 180 °C Circulating oven 8-12 h at 175 C HB 95-105
EN AW-7075-T6 Aluminium Alloys Artificial Aging (T6) 120 °C 125 °C Circulating oven 24 h at 121 C HB 155-175
EN AW-7075-T651 Aluminium Alloys Artificial Aging (T6) 115 °C 125 °C Circulating oven 24 h HB 150 / Rm 570 MPa
EN AW-2024-T3 Aluminium Alloys Artificial Aging (T8 only) 185 °C 195 °C Circulating oven 12 h HB ~128 (T8)
EN AW-6061-T6 Aluminium Alloys Artificial Aging T6 160 °C 177 °C Circulating oven 8-12 h HB 75-95 / Rm 290-340 MPa
EN AW-6060-T66 (Architectural Extrusion Alloy) Aluminium Alloys Artificial Aging T66 175 °C 185 °C Aging oven 5-8 h Rm 190-245 MPa / HB 60-75
EN-GJS-400-15 Cast Iron Austempering (ADI) 820 °C 920 °C Salt bath 250-400 C Austenitise + salt 30-120 min HB 250-380
EN-GJS-700-2 Cast Iron Austempering (ADI) 820 °C 920 °C Salt bath 250-400 C Austenitise+austempering HB 300-420 (ADI)
100Cr6 (Bearing Steel) Tool Steels Austenitizing 830 °C 860 °C Oil or salt bath 15-25 min HRC 64-67 (before temper)
102Cr6 (Reduced-Alloy Cold Work / Bearing-Adjacent Grade) Tool Steels Austenitizing 830 °C 860 °C Oil quench 20-30 min HRC 62-66 before temper
25CrMo4 Alloy Steels Austenitizing 840 °C 880 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 48-55
30CrNiMo8 Alloy Steels Austenitizing 820 °C 870 °C Oil or polymer 30-60 min HRC 50-58 (section depend
34CrNiMo6 Alloy Steels Austenitizing 820 °C 880 °C Oil or polymer quench 20-40 min HRC 52-58
36NiCrMo16 Alloy Steels Austenitizing 830 °C 870 °C Oil 20-40 min HRC 54-62
38Si7 Spring Steels Austenitizing 860 °C 900 °C Oil 15-20 min HRC 52-58
41Cr4 Alloy Steels Austenitizing 840 °C 880 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 50-58
42CrMo4 Alloy Steels Austenitizing 820 °C 870 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 52-58
50CrMo4 Alloy Steels Austenitizing 820 °C 860 °C Oil quench 20-30 min HRC 53-60
60SiCr7 Spring Steels Austenitizing 900 °C 950 °C Oil 10-20 min HRC 52-58
90MnCrV8 (O1) Tool Steels Austenitizing 790 °C 820 °C Oil ONLY 15-25 min HRC 63-66 (before temper)
C35 Carbon Steels Austenitizing 820 °C 860 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 48-56
C55 Carbon Steels Austenitizing 800 °C 840 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 56-62
C60 Carbon Steels Austenitizing 790 °C 830 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 58-64
C75 (High Carbon Spring Steel) Carbon Steels Austenitizing 790 °C 830 °C Oil ONLY 15-25 min HRC 60-63
C80W1 (Tool / Spring) Carbon Steels Austenitizing 780 °C 820 °C Water (1-3% NaCl brine) for th 10-20 min HRC 62-66 (before temper)
HS6-5-2 (M2 HSS) Tool Steels Austenitizing 1190 °C 1220 °C Salt bath or vacuum furnace 3-5 min HRC 62-65
X153CrMoV12 (D2) Tool Steels Austenitizing 1010 °C 1040 °C Vacuum furnace (preferred) 20-30 min HRC 63-65 before temper
X17CrNi16-2 (431) Stainless Steels Austenitizing 980 °C 1050 °C Oil or air (thin sections) 20-30 min HRC 35-45
X20Cr13 (420) Stainless Steels Austenitizing 1000 °C 1050 °C Oil (preferred) or air 20-30 min HRC 48-52
X30WCrV9-3 (S2/S5 Family Medium-Alloy Shock Steel) Tool Steels Austenitizing 900 °C 950 °C Oil quench (or air for lower h 20-30 min HRC 56-60 before temper
X40CrMoV5-1 (H13) Tool Steels Austenitizing 1000 °C 1060 °C Vacuum furnace 30-90 min HRC 52-56 before temper
X153CrMoV12 (D2 Standard -- Explicit High-Cr Reference) Tool Steels Austenitizing (air quench) 1000 °C 1030 °C Air or vacuum + gas quench 20-30 min HRC 60-63 before temper
C22 Carbon Steels Austenitizing (if needed) 820 °C 860 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 40-48
C25 (Medium-Low Carbon Machine Steel) Carbon Steels Austenitizing (light Q+T) 840 °C 870 °C Water or oil quench 15-20 min HRC 40-48
C45 Carbon Steels Austenitizing (Q+T) 820 °C 860 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 45-55
51CrV4 Alloy Steels Austenitizing (spring) 850 °C 900 °C Oil 15-25 min HRC 54-60
X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 (Duplex 2205) Stainless Steels AVOID 700-900 C exposure 700 °C 900 °C N/A N/A N/A
X2CrNiMoN25-7-4 (Super Duplex 2507) Stainless Steels AVOID sustained exposure 700 °C 955 °C N/A N/A N/A
Hardox 400 Structural Steels Bending (cold) — — Cold bending only Minimum bend radius per SSAB table -
15CrNi6 Alloy Steels Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic 6-25 h HRC 58-63 case
16MnCr5 Alloy Steels Carburising 880 °C 940 °C Gas 4-20 h HRC 58-63
18CrNiMo7-6 Alloy Steels Carburising 880 °C 940 °C Gas 8-40 h HRC 60-64 surface
20MnCr5 Alloy Steels Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic 4-20 h HRC 59-63 case
C10 Carbon Steels Carburising 880 °C 920 °C Gas 4-8 h HRC 58-63
C10E (Case-Hardening) Carbon Steels Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas (endothermic) 4-10 h HRC 59-63 surface
C15E Carbon Steels Carburising 880 °C 930 °C Gas endothermic 4-14 h HRC 60-64
C15 (Low-Carbon Case Hardening Grade) Carbon Steels Case Hardening (carburising) 880 °C 920 °C Gas or pack carburising 2-6 h HRC 58-62 case 0.2-0.6 mm
E355 (High-Strength Seamless Tube Steel) Structural Steels Cold Drawing + Stress Anneal (cold-finished tube) 600 °C 650 °C Furnace (after cold draw) 1-2 h Re>=355 MPa with tight OD
S460Q (Room-Temperature Impact Q+T Ultra-High Strength) Structural Steels Cold forming only — — No flame straightening Cold forming Re>=460 MPa
Ti-3Al-2.5V (Grade 9 -- Hydraulic Tubing Titanium) Titanium Alloys Cold Working (tube manufacture) — — Progressive cold reduction dur Multiple pass Increases strength to CWS
X10CrNiMoV12-2-2 PH Stainless Spring (Bellows Grade) Spring Steels Condition A (solution anneal, thin strip) 1040 °C 1065 °C Air cool Continuous strip processing Rm 900-1050 MPa -- austen
PA6 (Polyamide 6 / Nylon 6) Engineering Plastics Conditioning (after machining) 20 °C 23 °C Water bath or humidity chamber 24-96 h Equilibrium properties
PA46 (Nylon 4/6 -- High Heat Deflection Polyamide) Engineering Plastics Conditioning (design) 20 °C 23 °C 50% RH chamber 48-96 h Conditioned properties fo
PA11 (Polyamide 11 / Nylon 11) Engineering Plastics Conditioning (machined parts) 20 °C 23 °C Ambient 4-24 h Near-equilibrium quickly
PA12 (Polyamide 12 / Nylon 12) Engineering Plastics Conditioning (machined parts) 20 °C 23 °C Ambient — minimal 4-24 h Near-equilibrium quickly
PA66 (Polyamide 6.6 / Nylon 6.6) Engineering Plastics Conditioning (structural parts) 20 °C 23 °C Humidity chamber 50% RH 24-96 h Equilibrium properties —
X10CrNiMoV12-2-2 PH Stainless Spring (Bellows Grade) Spring Steels Conditioning + Age Hardening (post-assembly) 955 °C 510 °C Per CH900 route 1.5h + refrigerate + 1h age Rm 1300-1500 MPa -- final
UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight PE) Engineering Plastics Cross-linking (medical grade) — — Gamma irradiation (25-100 kRad Controlled dose Cross-linked UHMWPE
100Cr6 (Bearing Steel) Tool Steels Cryogenic (industrial bearings) -75 °C -75 °C Dry ice / LN2 bath 2-4 h Retained austenite <5%
X153CrMoV12 (D2) Tool Steels Cryogenic Treatment -80 °C -196 °C Dry ice / LN2 1-3 h +1 to +2 HRC
X153CrMoV12 (D2 Standard -- Explicit High-Cr Reference) Tool Steels Cryogenic treatment (optional, precision tooling) -70 °C -80 °C Dry ice or LN2 1-2 h +1-2 HRC, improved dimens
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Engineering Plastics Crystallisation (for CPET) 120 °C 160 °C Oven 30-60 min Whitening / opaque
X8Ni9-XX (Nickel Steel Weld Consumable Note) / P355NL2 (Low-Temp Fine-Grain PV Steel) Pressure Vessel Steels CVN testing at -50 C mandatory — — Charpy at -50 C required for c Test at -50 C >=27 J average
20MnCrS5 (Free-Machining Case Hardening) Alloy Steels Deep Freeze (optional, precision gears) -70 °C -80 °C Dry ice 1 h HRC +1
21NiCrMo2 (Balanced Ni-Cr-Mo Case Hardening) Alloy Steels Deep Freeze (optional) -70 °C -80 °C Dry ice 1 h HRC+1
102Cr6 (Reduced-Alloy Cold Work / Bearing-Adjacent Grade) Tool Steels Deep Freeze (recommended for gauges) -70 °C -80 °C Dry ice or LN2 1 h Dimensional stability imp
PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone) Engineering Plastics Dishwasher stability (consumer products) 65 °C 75 °C Domestic/commercial dishwasher Standard cycle No degradation over years
102Cr6 (Reduced-Alloy Cold Work / Bearing-Adjacent Grade) Tool Steels Double Tempering 150 °C 180 °C Oven 2x2h HRC 60-64
20MnCrS5 (Free-Machining Case Hardening) Alloy Steels Double Tempering 160 °C 200 °C Oven 2x2h HRC 57-60
21NiCrMo2 (Balanced Ni-Cr-Mo Case Hardening) Alloy Steels Double Tempering 160 °C 200 °C Oven 2x2h HRC 57-60
X153CrMoV12 (D2 Standard -- Explicit High-Cr Reference) Tool Steels Double Tempering 180 °C 540 °C Oven 2x2h HRC 58-62 depending on te
X30WCrV9-3 (S2/S5 Family Medium-Alloy Shock Steel) Tool Steels Double Tempering (high temp for toughness) 500 °C 600 °C Oven 2x2h HRC 45-54
PA11 (Polyamide 11 / Nylon 11) Engineering Plastics Drying (before processing) 80 °C 85 °C Circulating oven 3-4 h Moisture <0.20%
PA12 (Polyamide 12 / Nylon 12) Engineering Plastics Drying (before processing) 80 °C 85 °C Circulating air oven 3-4 h Moisture <0.20%
PA6 (Polyamide 6 / Nylon 6) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory before processing) 80 °C 90 °C Circulating air oven 4-6 h Moisture <0.20%
PA46 (Nylon 4/6 -- High Heat Deflection Polyamide) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory, higher moisture uptake than PA66) 100 °C 110 °C Vacuum oven strongly preferred 6-10 h Moisture <0.10%
PA66 (Polyamide 6.6 / Nylon 6.6) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory) 80 °C 90 °C Circulating or vacuum oven 4-6 h Moisture <0.20%
PC (Polycarbonate) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory) 110 °C 120 °C Circulating air oven 4-6 h (sheets: 8-12 h) Moisture <0.02%
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory) 150 °C 165 °C Circulating air oven (vacuum p 4-6 h (moulding); 12-24h for stock shapes Moisture <0.02%
PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory) 150 °C 165 °C Circulating air oven (vacuum p 4-6 h Moisture <0.02%
PEI (Polyetherimide / Ultem) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory) 150 °C 165 °C Circulating air oven (vacuum p 4-6 h Moisture <0.05%
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory) 70 °C 80 °C Circulating air oven 4-6 h Moisture <0.02%
PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone) Engineering Plastics Drying (mandatory) 135 °C 150 °C Circulating or vacuum oven 3-4 h Moisture <0.02%
PPS (Polyphenylene Sulphide) Engineering Plastics Drying (optional but recommended) 120 °C 135 °C Circulating air oven 3-4 h Moisture <0.01%
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Engineering Plastics Drying (recommended) 70 °C 85 °C Circulating or vacuum oven 2-4 h Moisture <0.20%
Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) Titanium Alloys Duplex Anneal 900 °C 950 °C Vacuum or Ar 1h + 760 C/2h HB ~310-360
Ti Grade 12 (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni -- Cost-Effective Corrosion-Resistant) Titanium Alloys Elevated temperature capability — 300 °C Useful strength retention to a N/A N/A
Ti-5Al-2.5Sn (Grade 6 -- Weldable Aerospace Alpha Alloy) Titanium Alloys ELI variant for cryogenic service — — Extra-low O and Fe interstitia N/A N/A
CuFe2P (High-Conductivity Leadframe Copper) Copper Alloys Excellent stamping/blanking characteristics — — Fine, uniform Fe2P precipitate N/A N/A
P250GH (Very Basic Boiler Steel -- Small Vessels) Pressure Vessel Steels Excellent weldability — — CE~0.28 -- among the most weld N/A N/A
Nimonic 75 (NiCr20Ti -- Basic Heat-Resistant Sheet) Heat-Resistant Alloys Excellent weldability (key characteristic) — — GTAW/GMAW with matching filler Standard Ni welding practice N/A
CuZn36Pb3 (Standard Free-Cutting Brass) Copper Alloys Extrusion (primary production route) 650 °C 750 °C Hot extrusion press N/A Standard rod/bar stock
PA46 (Nylon 4/6 -- High Heat Deflection Polyamide) Engineering Plastics Fast crystallisation (key production advantage) — — Crystallises much faster than N/A N/A
EN-GJS-400-15 Cast Iron Ferritic Annealing 860 °C 920 °C Furnace 2-4 h at temp -10 to -20 HB
EN-GJS-450-18 (Ultra-Ductile Ferritic SG Iron) Cast Iron Ferritising Anneal 900 °C 950 °C Furnace 2-4 h Fully ferritic matrix / m
S355K2 (High-Energy Cold-Impact Structural) Structural Steels Fine-grain practice mandatory — — Al-killed, fine-grain melting N/A N/A
EN-GJL-300 Cast Iron Flame/Induction Surface Hardening 880 °C 920 °C - - HRC 50-58
20MnCrS5 (Free-Machining Case Hardening) Alloy Steels Gas Carburising 900 °C 940 °C Gas or vacuum carburising 4-20 h HRC 58-62 case
21NiCrMo2 (Balanced Ni-Cr-Mo Case Hardening) Alloy Steels Gas Carburising 890 °C 940 °C Gas or vacuum 4-16 h HRC 58-62 case
31CrMoV9 (Nitriding Steel) Alloy Steels Gas Nitriding 500 °C 530 °C NH3 atmosphere 20-80 h HV 900-1100 surface; core
34CrAlNi7-10 (Nitriding Steel -- High Al, Deep Case) Alloy Steels Gas Nitriding (deep case) 500 °C 530 °C Ammonia gas 40-100 h for deep case HV 900-1100+ / case depth
EN AW-5049 (Marine-Grade General Purpose Al-Mg) Aluminium Alloys Good weldability — — GMAW/GTAW with 5183 or 5356 fi N/A N/A
16Mo3 (0.3Mo Boiler Steel) Pressure Vessel Steels Good weldability (no Cr) — — Pre-heat only for t>30 mm -- m N/A N/A
EN-GJL-150 Cast Iron Graphitising Anneal 700 °C 790 °C Furnace 3-6 h -15 HB
54SiCr6 (Standard Automotive Valve Spring Steel) Spring Steels Hardening (after cold draw, before coiling for bar route) 860 °C 900 °C Oil quench 15-25 min HRC 55-61
C45 Carbon Steels Induction Hardening 820 °C 880 °C - - HRC 52-58 surface
E355 (High-Strength Seamless Tube Steel) Structural Steels Internal surface finish control — — Precision tube internal bore f N/A N/A
CuNi30Mn1Fe (70/30 Copper-Nickel, High Alloy) Copper Alloys Iron addition (corrosion resistance function) — — Fe (0.4-1.0%) forms protective N/A N/A
Ti-5Al-2.5Sn (Grade 6 -- Weldable Aerospace Alpha Alloy) Titanium Alloys Mill Annealing (standard, only condition) 720 °C 845 °C Air cool 1-4 h Rm 790-900 MPa -- stable,
Nicrofer 6025HT / Alloy 602 CA Variant Note -- Nimonic 80A Reference Duplicate Check Skip Heat-Resistant Alloys Moderate weldability — — Weldable with care (lower Ti+A Matching Nimonic 80A filler N/A
34CrNiMo6 Alloy Steels Nitriding 500 °C 530 °C Gas or plasma 30-80 h HV 650-950 surface
42CrMo4 Alloy Steels Nitriding 500 °C 530 °C Gas (NH3) or plasma 20-60 h HV 600-900 surface
X40CrMoV5-1 (H13) Tool Steels Nitriding 480 °C 520 °C Gas (NH3) or plasma 8-25 h Surface HV 900-1100; core
PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy) Engineering Plastics No heat treatment — — N/A N/A N/A
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) Engineering Plastics No heat treatment — processing only — — Sintering at 370-390 C during N/A N/A
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) Engineering Plastics No heat treatment required — — N/A N/A N/A
POM-C (Polyoxymethylene / Acetal Copolymer) Engineering Plastics No heat treatment required — — Thermoplastic — no HT applicab N/A N/A
PP (Polypropylene) Engineering Plastics No heat treatment required — — N/A N/A N/A
PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) Engineering Plastics No heat treatment required — — Thermoplastic — process at 200 N/A N/A
UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight PE) Engineering Plastics No heat treatment required — — N/A N/A N/A
S235J2 (Low-Temperature Basic Structural) Structural Steels No pre-heat needed (t<=25mm) — — CE~0.35 -- excellent weldabili N/A N/A
S275JR (Basic Structural Steel) Carbon Steels No pre-heat needed (t<=30mm) — — CE~0.40 N/A N/A
E355 (High-Strength Seamless Tube Steel) Structural Steels Non-Destructive Testing (typical for hydraulic application) — — Ultrasonic and/or hydrostatic N/A N/A
EN-GJS-700-2 Cast Iron Normalising 880 °C 920 °C Still Air - HB 230-300
EN-GJS-500-7 Cast Iron Normalising (for higher strength) 880 °C 920 °C Air cool - HB 200-250 (higher pearli
EN-GJS-700-2 (High-Strength Pearlitic Ductile Iron) Cast Iron Normalising (optional, for property consistency) 880 °C 920 °C Air cool - Uniform pearlite content
16Mo3 Pressure Vessel Steels Normalizing 880 °C 940 °C Still Air - Delivery
16Mo3 (0.3Mo Boiler Steel) Pressure Vessel Steels Normalizing 890 °C 940 °C Still Air - Re>=275 MPa / creep resis
C15 (Low-Carbon Case Hardening Grade) Carbon Steels Normalizing 890 °C 920 °C Still Air - Standard delivery
C22 Carbon Steels Normalizing 890 °C 920 °C Still Air - <=HB 165
C25 (Medium-Low Carbon Machine Steel) Carbon Steels Normalizing 860 °C 900 °C Still Air - Standard delivery
C35 Carbon Steels Normalizing 840 °C 875 °C Still Air - Standard
C45 Carbon Steels Normalizing 820 °C 860 °C Still Air - <=HB 229
P250GH (Very Basic Boiler Steel -- Small Vessels) Pressure Vessel Steels Normalizing 870 °C 930 °C Still Air - Re>=250 MPa
P265GH Pressure Vessel Steels Normalizing 880 °C 940 °C Still Air - Fine grain
S235JR Carbon Steels Normalizing 870 °C 920 °C Still Air - Standard
S275JR Structural Steels Normalizing 880 °C 940 °C Still Air - Standard
S355J2 Carbon Steels Normalizing 900 °C 940 °C Still Air - No change
S355K2 (High-Energy Cold-Impact Structural) Structural Steels Normalizing 870 °C 910 °C Still Air - Fine grain -- required fo
S460N Carbon Steels Normalizing 890 °C 940 °C Still Air - Delivery condition.
X8Ni9-XX (Nickel Steel Weld Consumable Note) / P355NL2 (Low-Temp Fine-Grain PV Steel) Pressure Vessel Steels Normalizing 900 °C 950 °C Still Air - Fine grain / impact guara
E355 (High-Strength Seamless Tube Steel) Structural Steels Normalizing (hot-finished tube) 870 °C 910 °C Still Air - Re>=355 MPa
S235J2 (Low-Temperature Basic Structural) Structural Steels Normalizing (optional) 870 °C 910 °C Still Air - Uniform grain
S275JR (Basic Structural Steel) Carbon Steels Normalizing (optional) 870 °C 910 °C Still Air - Uniform grain
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 (Nickel Aluminium Bronze -- NAB) Copper Alloys NOT age-hardenable in the CuBe2 sense — — Strength comes from cast kappa N/A N/A
C25 (Medium-Low Carbon Machine Steel) Carbon Steels NOT case-hardening focused — — Intermediate C content -- used N/A N/A
EN-GJS-450-18 (Ultra-Ductile Ferritic SG Iron) Cast Iron NOT for high-strength applications — — A>=18% priority sacrifices som N/A N/A
X30WCrV9-3 (S2/S5 Family Medium-Alloy Shock Steel) Tool Steels NOT for maximum hardness applications — — This grade is deliberately tem N/A N/A
Ti Grade 12 (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni -- Cost-Effective Corrosion-Resistant) Titanium Alloys NOT further hardenable — — Essentially CP-alpha structure N/A N/A
CuNi30Mn1Fe (70/30 Copper-Nickel, High Alloy) Copper Alloys NOT hardenable — — Single-phase solid solution -- N/A N/A
CuZn36Pb3 (Standard Free-Cutting Brass) Copper Alloys NOT hardenable — — Duplex alpha-beta brass -- str N/A N/A
Ni-Resist D2 (EN-GJL-NiCr20-2) Cast Iron NOT hardenable — — Austenitic matrix — cannot be N/A N/A
X2CrTiNb18 (AISI 439 Extended Ferritic) Stainless Steels NOT hardenable (ferritic) — — Cannot be strengthened by Q+T N/A N/A
S235J2 (Low-Temperature Basic Structural) Structural Steels NOT hardenable beyond as-rolled — — Basic structural grade -- no Q N/A N/A
S275JR (Basic Structural Steel) Carbon Steels NOT hardenable beyond as-rolled — — Basic structural grade N/A N/A
X6Cr17 (430) Stainless Steels NOT hardenable by quenching — — Ferritic — cannot be hardened N/A N/A
EN-GJL-350 (Maximum Strength Grey Iron) Cast Iron NOT hardenable via bulk heat treatment — — Flake graphite -- no further b N/A N/A
EN AW-5049 (Marine-Grade General Purpose Al-Mg) Aluminium Alloys NOT precipitation hardenable — — 5xxx alloy -- strength from Mg N/A N/A
S460Q (Room-Temperature Impact Q+T Ultra-High Strength) Structural Steels NOT re-normalizable — — Q+T -- properties lost above 5 N/A Below minimum spec
S690QL Structural Steels NOT re-normalizable — — Q+T — any heating above 580 C N/A Properties drop below min
Incoloy 020 (Alloy 20 -- Sulphuric Acid Specialist) Heat-Resistant Alloys NOT suitable for oxidising acids — — Cu addition that helps in H2SO N/A N/A
C15 (Low-Carbon Case Hardening Grade) Carbon Steels NOT suitable for structural core strength — — Rm 350-500 MPa core -- use 16M N/A N/A
EN AW-7075-T6 Aluminium Alloys Over-aging (T73) 100 °C 175 °C Two-stage: 100 C + 163 C 8h + 24-28h HB 135-145
EN AW-7075-T651 Aluminium Alloys Over-aging (T73) 100 °C 175 °C Two-stage aging 3h at 100 C + 8h at 175 C HB 135 — SCC resistant
54SiCr6 (Standard Automotive Valve Spring Steel) Spring Steels Patenting (wire pre-treatment) 900 °C 950 °C Lead bath or fluidised bed Continuous Fine pearlite -- ideal dr
EN-GJL-350 Cast Iron Pearlite Stabilising 400 °C 450 °C Oven 1-4 h Unchanged
HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) Engineering Plastics Pipe Fusion Welding 210 °C 230 °C Heated plate / butt fusion Per pipe diameter Full fusion weld
31CrMoV9 (Nitriding Steel) Alloy Steels Plasma Nitriding 450 °C 520 °C N2/H2 plasma (vacuum) 8-30 h HV 900-1100 surface; no w
X6CrNiNb18-10 (AISI 347 Niobium-Stabilised) Stainless Steels Polythionic acid SCC resistance (key property) — — Refinery shutdown exposes sens N/A N/A
Ti-3Al-2.5V (Grade 9 -- Hydraulic Tubing Titanium) Titanium Alloys Post-form stress relief 480 °C 595 °C Vacuum or inert gas 15-30 min Removes forming residual
EN AW-6060-T66 (Architectural Extrusion Alloy) Aluminium Alloys Powder coating (alternative finishing) 180 °C 200 °C Powder coat cure oven 15-20 min Durable painted finish
PP (Polypropylene) Engineering Plastics PP-R Pipe Butt Fusion Welding 210 °C 220 °C Heated plate / butt fusion Per pipe diameter (EN ISO 21307) Full fusion
S235J2 (Low-Temperature Basic Structural) Structural Steels Pre-heat for thick sections 50 °C 75 °C Torch Pre-heat only N/A
S275JR (Basic Structural Steel) Carbon Steels Pre-heat for thick sections 75 °C 100 °C Torch Pre-heat only N/A
S460Q (Room-Temperature Impact Q+T Ultra-High Strength) Structural Steels Pre-heat for welding 75 °C 125 °C Torch Pre-heat only N/A
X8Ni9-XX (Nickel Steel Weld Consumable Note) / P355NL2 (Low-Temp Fine-Grain PV Steel) Pressure Vessel Steels Pre-heat for welding 50 °C 100 °C Torch Pre-heat N/A
S355K2 (High-Energy Cold-Impact Structural) Structural Steels Pre-heat for welding (t>30mm) 75 °C 100 °C Torch Pre-heat N/A
HS6-5-2 (M2 HSS) Tool Steels Pre-heating 450 °C 850 °C Salt bath or furnace 30 min each stage -
CuFe2P (High-Conductivity Leadframe Copper) Copper Alloys Precipitation Aging 450 °C 500 °C Air or inert atmosphere oven 2-4 h Rm 400-470 MPa / 65% IACS
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 (Aluminium Bronze) Copper Alloys Precipitation Hardening 350 °C 450 °C Air 2-4 h +20-30 HB
Nicrofer 6025HT / Alloy 602 CA Variant Note -- Nimonic 80A Reference Duplicate Check Skip Heat-Resistant Alloys Primary Aging 700 °C 710 °C Air oven 16 h Intermediate precipitatio
PI (Polyimide / Vespel) Engineering Plastics Processing — compression moulding (sinter) 300 °C 350 °C Sinter at high temp+pressure N/A N/A
PA46 (Nylon 4/6 -- High Heat Deflection Polyamide) Engineering Plastics Processing (injection moulding) 290 °C 320 °C Standard high-temp injection m N/A N/A
16Mo3 Pressure Vessel Steels PWHT 640 °C 660 °C Furnace 1h/25mm No change
P250GH (Very Basic Boiler Steel -- Small Vessels) Pressure Vessel Steels PWHT (rarely required) — — Simple, thin-wall applications N/A N/A
S355K2 (High-Energy Cold-Impact Structural) Structural Steels PWHT (recommended for critical joints) 560 °C 600 °C Furnace 1h/25mm Stress relief
16Mo3 (0.3Mo Boiler Steel) Pressure Vessel Steels PWHT after welding 580 °C 620 °C Furnace 1h/25mm Stress relief
P265GH Pressure Vessel Steels PWHT after welding 580 °C 640 °C Furnace 1h/25mm No change
X8Ni9-XX (Nickel Steel Weld Consumable Note) / P355NL2 (Low-Temp Fine-Grain PV Steel) Pressure Vessel Steels PWHT mandatory after welding 580 °C 620 °C Furnace 1h/25mm Toughness maintained in H
34CrAlNi7-10 (Nitriding Steel -- High Al, Deep Case) Alloy Steels Q+T before nitriding 870 °C 910 °C Oil quench then temper 620-670 1-2 h (section dependent) HRC 30-36 / core Rm 950-1
31CrMoV9 (Nitriding Steel) Alloy Steels Quench + Temper (before nitriding) 880 °C 920 °C Oil 20-30 min HRC 28-36
X12CrNiCoMoWV12-10-3 (Ultra-High-Temp Turbine Spring) Spring Steels Relaxation testing (quality control) 550 °C 550 °C Sustained load test at service 100-1000 h Force retention >90% typi
Nicrofer 6025HT / Alloy 602 CA Variant Note -- Nimonic 80A Reference Duplicate Check Skip Heat-Resistant Alloys Secondary Aging — — Sometimes single-stage aging i 8-16 h Rm 1000-1250 MPa
X5CrNi18-10 (AISI 304) Stainless Steels Sensitisation — AVOID 425 °C 815 °C N/A N/A N/A
X6CrNiNb18-10 (AISI 347 Niobium-Stabilised) Stainless Steels Sensitisation range survivable 425 °C 815 °C N/A -- Nb prevents sensitisati N/A N/A
PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) Engineering Plastics Service Limits -40 °C 150 °C Continuous Indefinite Full properties
PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy) Engineering Plastics Service Temperature Limits -200 °C 260 °C Continuous service Indefinite Full properties
PI (Polyimide / Vespel) Engineering Plastics Service Temperature Limits -270 °C 300 °C Continuous in air Indefinite Full properties
PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) Engineering Plastics Service Temperature Limits -200 °C 260 °C Continuous Indefinite Full properties
X2CrTiNb18 (AISI 439 Extended Ferritic) Stainless Steels Service to ~900 C — 900 °C Intermittent automotive exhaus N/A N/A
P250GH (Very Basic Boiler Steel -- Small Vessels) Pressure Vessel Steels Service to 300 C — 300 °C Basic low-duty range N/A N/A
51CrV4 Alloy Steels Shot peening — — Shot blast (S230-S330 shot) Coverage >100% Fatigue life +50-100%
54SiCr6 (Standard Automotive Valve Spring Steel) Spring Steels Shot Peening (mandatory) — — Cast steel or ceramic shot S17 Standard production step Fatigue life +50-80%
EN AW-6060-T66 (Architectural Extrusion Alloy) Aluminium Alloys SHT (in-line with extrusion press quench) 515 °C 530 °C Press quench (air or water spr Continuous with extrusion HB ~45 immediately
15CrNi6 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 4-6 h <=HB 217
16MnCr5 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 3-5 h <=HB 207
18CrNiMo7-6 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 710 °C Furnace 4-6 h <=HB 248
20MnCr5 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 3-6 h <=HB 235
20MnCrS5 (Free-Machining Case Hardening) Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 3-5 h <=HB 215
21NiCrMo2 (Balanced Ni-Cr-Mo Case Hardening) Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 3-5 h <=HB 215
25CrMo4 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 640 °C 680 °C Furnace 4-6 h <=HB 235
30CrNiMo8 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 8-16 h <=HB 295
34CrAlNi7-10 (Nitriding Steel -- High Al, Deep Case) Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 680 °C 720 °C Furnace 5-7 h <=HB 260
34CrNiMo6 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 6-10 h <=HB 285
36NiCrMo16 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 640 °C 670 °C Furnace 6-10 h <=HB 295
41Cr4 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 3-6 h <=HB 241
42CrMo4 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 680 °C 710 °C Furnace 4-6 h <=HB 241
50CrMo4 Alloy Steels Soft Annealing 680 °C 720 °C Furnace 4-6 h <=HB 248
90MnCrV8 (O1) Tool Steels Soft Annealing 740 °C 800 °C Furnace 4-8 h <=HB 220
C45 Carbon Steels Soft Annealing 650 °C 700 °C Furnace 2-4 h <=HB 207
HS6-5-2 (M2 HSS) Tool Steels Soft Annealing 840 °C 880 °C Furnace 8-12 h <=HB 269
X153CrMoV12 (D2) Tool Steels Soft Annealing 830 °C 860 °C Furnace 6-10 h <=HB 255
X30WCrV9-3 (S2/S5 Family Medium-Alloy Shock Steel) Tool Steels Soft Annealing 760 °C 800 °C Furnace 4-8 h <=HB 235
X40CrMoV5-1 (H13) Tool Steels Soft Annealing 840 °C 880 °C Furnace 8-12 h <=HB 235
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 (Aluminium Bronze) Copper Alloys Solution Anneal 850 °C 950 °C Water quench 30-60 min HB 180-220
X3CrNiMo13-4 Stainless Steels Solution Anneal (normalising) 950 °C 1050 °C Air cool or oil 20-40 min HRC 30-38
CuAl10Ni5Fe4 (Nickel Aluminium Bronze -- NAB) Copper Alloys Solution Anneal + Quench (for optimum kappa-phase distribution) 675 °C 700 °C Water quench 1-2 h Refined kappa phase -- ma
CuFe2P (High-Conductivity Leadframe Copper) Copper Alloys Solution Annealing 900 °C 950 °C Water quench 15-30 min Rm ~250 MPa -- soft, form
Incoloy 020 (Alloy 20 -- Sulphuric Acid Specialist) Heat-Resistant Alloys Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1090 °C Water quench 15-30 min Full sensitisation immuni
Inconel 625 (NiCr22Mo9Nb) Heat-Resistant Alloys Solution Annealing 1093 °C 1204 °C Water or rapid air 15-30 min Full corrosion resistance
N08904 (904L) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1100 °C 1150 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 220
Nicrofer 6025HT / Alloy 602 CA Variant Note -- Nimonic 80A Reference Duplicate Check Skip Heat-Resistant Alloys Solution Annealing 1080 °C 1100 °C Air cool or water quench 2-8 h Rm ~700 MPa -- machinable
X12CrNi25-21 (310S) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1150 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 217
X2CrNi19-11 (304L) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1010 °C 1120 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 210
X2CrNiMo17-12-2 (AISI 316L) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1010 °C 1120 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 217
X2CrNiMoN17-13-5 (317L) Alloy Steels Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1120 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 217
X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 (Duplex 2205) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1020 °C 1100 °C Water quench — rapid Sufficient for through-thickness HB 290 max
X2CrNiMoN25-7-4 (Super Duplex 2507) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1120 °C Rapid water quench Sufficient HB 310 max
X2CrNiN23-4 (Duplex 2304) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 950 °C 1100 °C Water quench Sufficient HB 290 max
X5CrNi18-10 (AISI 304) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1010 °C 1120 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 215 / <=HRC 22
X5CrNiMo17-12-2 (316) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1010 °C 1120 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 215
X6CrNiNb18-10 (AISI 347 Niobium-Stabilised) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1040 °C 1150 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 201
X6CrNiTi18-10 (321) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing 1020 °C 1120 °C Water quench Sufficient <=HB 217
X5CrNiCuNb16-4 (17-4PH) Stainless Steels Solution Annealing (Cond. A) 1025 °C 1055 °C Air cool or quench 30 min HRC ~35 (fully machinable
Nimonic 75 (NiCr20Ti -- Basic Heat-Resistant Sheet) Heat-Resistant Alloys Solution Annealing (only heat treatment) 1050 °C 1100 °C Air or water quench 30-60 min Rm 700-900 MPa -- stable,
Incoloy 825 (NiCr21Mo) Heat-Resistant Alloys Solution Annealing (stabilising) 940 °C 980 °C Water quench 15-30 min Full corrosion + sour res
EN AW-2024-T3 Aluminium Alloys Solution Heat Treatment 488 °C 502 °C Water quench (<5 sec) 30-40 min HB ~105
EN AW-6082-T6 Aluminium Alloys Solution Heat Treatment 520 °C 540 °C Water quench 20-40 min HB ~60
EN AW-7075-T6 Aluminium Alloys Solution Heat Treatment 465 °C 480 °C Water quench (cold) 30-60 min HB ~60
EN AW-7075-T651 Aluminium Alloys Solution Heat Treatment 460 °C 490 °C Water quench (within 5 sec) 20-40 min HB ~80
EN AW-6063-T6 Aluminium Alloys Solution Heat Treatment (T6) 515 °C 530 °C Water quench 10-30 min HB ~42-55