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The next question to be asked is, "How do we cool after normalizing?" The generally accepted method of cooling is to “cool in still air and free from drafts.” While this is a general statement and a generally accepted practice, it does not ensure a repeatable and consistent final metallurgy.

The normalizing process is generally applied to unalloyed steels or low-alloy (hypoeutectoid) steels (i.e., steels with a carbon content lower than 0.77%). Normalizing is applied to hypereutectoid steels (i.e., steels with a carbon content greater 0.77%) only in special cases.  

The forging of a steel component to arrive at a rough shape prior to machining is a procedure that has been adopted almost from the time that man discovered iron. Forging is a not only an ancient craft, it is a science in the manipulation of steel into a predetermined shape that is roughly the final shape of the component to be manufactured.

A second consideration would be to purchase a simple notebook. Every metal that you process, draw out a sketch and add the analysis from the test certificate.

The study of heat treatment and the metallurgy of metals is perhaps the oldest science known to mankind. If one thinks about that statement, you realize that there was a time that humans used only stone for weapons and digging. Then came the age that carried man into the world of metals.

We continue David Pye's blog series on the causes and effects of distortion.

We continue David Pye's blog series on the causes and effects of distortion. Part 2 can be found here.

We continue David Pye's blog series on the causes and effects of distortion.

As every heat treater – captive or commercial – knows, distortion will occur. The heat treater must recognize the many reasons why distortion occurs. This applies to both ferrous and nonferrous materials.

The purpose of tempering is to develop both the toughness and ductility of the austenitized and quenched steel implement.