Heat Treatment & Metallurgy Solutions

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Heat treatment furnace, case hardening and hardening process

Heat Treatment and Surface Hardening for Enhanced Material Performance

Heat treatment is a metallurgical process that improves the mechanical properties of metal parts—such as hardness, wear resistance, toughness, and fatigue strength—by controllably altering the microstructure. At Akce Engineering, we perform thermochemical and neutral (volumetric) heat treatments in accordance with international standards for the automotive, defence, machinery, energy, and tooling sectors. All processes are reported with full traceability through hardness measurement, microstructural analysis, and case-depth inspection.

Thermochemical (Diffusion) Heat Treatments

A high-hardness surface layer is formed by diffusing elements such as carbon, nitrogen, or boron into the part surface, while core toughness is preserved.

  • Case Hardening (Carburizing): Carbon diffusion into the surface of low-carbon steels for high surface hardness and a ductile core.
  • Nitriding: Nitrogen diffusion at low temperature for high wear and corrosion resistance with minimal distortion.
  • Carbonitriding: Simultaneous diffusion of carbon and nitrogen; hard surface even on steels with low hardenability.
  • Boriding: Boron diffusion creating an extremely hard (1500–2000 HV) surface layer with high wear resistance.
  • Oxidation (Steam Oxidation / Black Oxide): Corrosion resistance and aesthetic black surface finish; friction reduction.

Neutral and Volumetric Heat Treatments

Desired mechanical properties are achieved by controlling microstructure and internal stresses throughout the entire cross-section of the part.

  • Quench & Temper: Hardening followed by tempering to achieve a balanced hardness–toughness combination.
  • Vacuum Hardening: Oxide-free, bright surface finish; low distortion and high repeatability.
  • Induction Hardening: Surface and localized hardening; ideal for shafts, gears, and journal bearings.
  • Normalizing: Grain refinement and homogenization for balanced mechanical properties.
  • Stress Relieving (Annealing): Reduction of internal stresses caused by welding and machining.
  • Solution Annealing: Dissolution of carbides in stainless and alloy steels to restore corrosion resistance.
  • Martempering & Austempering: Controlled cooling for low distortion and high toughness.
  • Cryogenic Treatment (Deep Freezing): Conversion of retained austenite to martensite for improved dimensional stability and wear resistance.

Quality and standards: All heat treatments are reported with hardness (HRC/HV), microstructure, case depth, and distortion inspections; process control in compliance with AMS 2750, CQI-9, and relevant customer specifications is ensured.

For your manufacturing needs before and after heat treatment, we offer end-to-end solutions including pressure vessels, stainless spool manufacturing, and overhaul services.