John Deere Standard

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JDV 2
Heat Treatment Numbers and Descriptions

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SCOPE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DESIGNATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
DESCRIPTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
SUFFIX DESIGNATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Issued: Oct 54 Revised: Sep 96 Term Code: Design Control: DT Page 1 of 13

Supersedes: Dec 95
John Deere standards are intended for use by Deere & Company, its divisions and subsidiaries. Suppliers who rely on them in
furnishing products to or for the benefit of the Company must determine that they are in possession of the latest version.
Distribution of the standards to parties other than John Deere Suppliers, whether with or without charge, are for information only and
Deere & Company disclaims all responsibility for results attributable to the application of or compliance with such standards. The
Company makes no presentation, express or implied, that conformity ensures compliance with applicable law or other rules or
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with patents, as well as potential patent infringement.
Deere & Company Engineering Standards Department, John Deere Road, Moline, Illinois 61265. Unpublished––All rights reserved
under the copyright laws.
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1. SCOPE

JDV 2 defines standard designations by which heat treatment processes for ferrous metals are to be
specified on part drawings and related documents. In addition to the heat treatment number, the properties
and dimensions required for the heat treatment (for example, hardness, case depth, portion to be treated)
must also be specified.

2. DESIGNATIONS

2.1 STRUCTURE CONDITIONING

Number Process
HT1 Normalize
HT3 Full Anneal
HT4 Isothermal (or Cycle) Anneal
HT5 Stress Relieve
HT6 Spheroidize Anneal
HT7 Graphitize Anneal

2.2 HARDENING BY COMPOSITION CHANGE

Number Process
HT9 Carburize and Slow Cool
HT10 Carburize and Direct Quench
HT11 After Carburizing, Slow Cooling, Reheat for Case Reaction, and Quench
HT12 After Carburizing, Slow Cooling, Reheat for Core Reaction, and Quench
HT13 Carburize and Quench to Bainitic Structure
HT20 Carbonitride and Quench
HT21 Carburize, Carbonitride, and Quench
HT22 Carbonitride and Slow Cool
HT25 Cyanide and Quench
HT26 Gaseous Nitrocarburizing
HT27 Liquid Nitride
HT28 Gas Nitride
HT29 Ion Nitride
HT45 Carburize and Marquench
HT46 After Carburizing, Slow Cooling, Reheat, and Marquench

2.3 HARDENING BY THROUGH HEATING

Number Process
HT15 Heat, Correct Carbon, and Quench
HT16 Heat, Correct Carbon, and Slow Cool
HT40 Heat and Quench
HT48 Heat and Marquench
HT49 Heat and Austemper

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2.4 HARDENING BY SURFACE HEATING

Number Process
HT30 Heat by Induction and Quench
HT31 Preheat, Heat by Induction, and Quench
HT32 Through Heat by Induction, Quench, and Heat by Induction
HT35 Heat by Flame and Quench
HT36 Laser Harden and Self–Quench –– Steel
HT37 Electron Beam Harden and Self–Quench –– Steel
HT38 Laser Chill Harden –– Cast Iron
HT39 Electron Beam Chill Harden –– Cast Iron

2.5 HEATING WHILE UNDER PHYSICAL PRESSURE

Number Process
HT51 Hot Flatten

2.6 SUFFIX LETTERS

C Clean or Scale–Free Treatment
R Restricted Carbon Gradient
S Selective Treatment
T Tempering

3. DESCRIPTIONS

3.1 STRUCTURE CONDITIONING

HT1 Normalize

Normalizing is the basic conditioning process for steel castings, medium and high carbon steel forgings,
nodular iron castings, and some weldments where grain refinement, machinability or microstructure
improvement for subsequent processing are required.

Nodular iron castings may be normalized to eliminate carbides, to increase strength and hardness, or to
provide a suitable structure for subsequent selective hardening by flame or induction by reducing the
amount of ferrite in the as–cast structure. Cooling of nodular iron castings from the normalizing
temperature is very important and calls for special consideration. Where increases in strength, hardness,
and/or suitable structure for selective hardening are required, forced air cooling is generally necessary.

The treatment consists of heating above the transformation range, holding long enough to complete
solution or transformation, then cooling (usually in air) to room temperature.

HT3 Full Anneal

Full annealing is applied to steel, usually to obtain minimum hardness and maximum ductility. Softening
treatment for cast irons is covered by HT7.

The process is similar to HT1 except for the cooling cycle. The material is cooled slowly through the
transformation range to a temperature below about 540°C, depending upon the material, followed by
cooling in a convenient manner.

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HT4 Isothermal (or Cycle) Anneal

Isothermal annealing is used to obtain controlled microstructures and hardness, usually for machinability
improvement on medium and high carbon steels. Annealing by this process requires specialized or suitably
adapted equipment and is not considered practical where such equipment is not available. Procedures can
be established to produce a particular microstructure or hardness range that will possess desired
machinability characteristics.

Such annealing takes somewhat less time than a full anneal.

The process consists of heating to the austenitizing temperature, cooling rapidly to the desired
transformation temperature for the steel involved, holding at that temperature until desired metallurgical
properties are obtained, then cooling rapidly to room temperature.

HT5 Stress Relieve

Stress relieving is used for removal of residual casting, welding or other stresses which may contribute to
dimensional instability, delayed cracking, or decreased performance of a part in service.

Because the results of the process are usually difficult to inspect, success of the treatment depends upon
adequate temperature uniformity capability of the furnace equipment used and close adherence to process
instructions.

The process consists of heating below the transformation range to a desired temperature, then cooling
slowly enough to avoid development of excessive cooling stresses. Stress relieving at the higher
temperatures will produce some softening and leveling out of uneven hardness or zones of high hardness.

HT6 Spheroidize Anneal

Spheroidize annealing is generally used to improve ductility and to soften cold worked steel, especially
where further cold work would cause breakage. A spheroidized structure is desirable for maximum
machinability and forming without cracking in high carbon steels.

The process consists of heating to just below the critical temperature, soaking for an appropriate time, then
cooling in air to room temperature.

HT7 Graphitize Anneal

Graphitize annealing may be used to convert massive carbides in castings to pearlite and graphite. A high
annealing temperature (a minimum of 870°C) is used for this purpose. Graphitize annealing may also be
used to produce a ferrite–graphite structure for improved machinability or ductility in castings where low
tensile properties are acceptable. A lower temperature (approximately 540°C) is used for this purpose.

The process consists of heating above the lower critical temperature for the period of time required to
complete graphitization, then cooling to room temperature.

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3.2 HARDENING BY COMPOSITION CHANGE

HT9 Carburlze and Slow Cool

This treatment is usually specified for parts which must be cooled to room temperature without hardening to
permit machining or straightening after carburizing. It is usually followed by selective hardening.

Carburizing results in the absorption of carbon into the surface of a steel. The process consists of heating
above the transformation range, usually 930°C for gas carburizing, then holding in an atmosphere having a
carburizing potential suitable for the results required until the specified case depth has been obtained in the
work. Slow cooling is preferably done in protective atmosphere, especially above 540°C. The permissible
cooling rate depends upon the steel grade, section thickness, and results desired. Automatic controlled
carbon potential of the furnace atmosphere is highly desirable.

HT10 Carburize and Direct Quench

This treatment is applied to parts on which complete case hardening of a part is wanted or acceptable.

Carburizing is generally done at closely controlled temperatures in the range 850 to 950°C, although there
are exceptions. At higher temperatures, the rate of carburizing and the likelihood of grain growth in steels
both increase. For typical applications, the surface carbon content is 0.8 to 1.0 percent, although lower or
higher carbon content may be specified. The process is similar to HT9 but the parts are quenched when the
desired case depth has been obtained. The work may be cooled from 930°C to approximately 820°C
before quenching; precise temperature depends upon the grade of steel. In some cases, work may be
quenched from the carburizing temperature. Automatic controlled carbon potential of the furnace
atmosphere is highly desirable.

HT11 After Carburizing, Slow Cooling, Reheat for Case Reaction, and Quench

This treatment is applied following HT9. Parts are reheated in a furnace at a temperature which will
produce full case hardening, but low enough to keep core reaction to a minimum. The resulting part will
have a relatively soft, ductile core. Automatic controlled carbon potential of furnace atmosphere is highly
desirable.

HT12 After Carburizing, Slow Cooling, Reheat for Core Reaction, and Quench

This treatment is comparable to HT11 except that full case and core hardness are obtained. The possibility
for machining or other processing on parts between the carburizing and hardening operations and the
opportunity for die quenching are the advantages of this treatment over HT10. Automatic controlled carbon
potential of furnace atmosphere is highly desirable.

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HT13 Carburlze and Quench to Bainitic Structure

This treatment results in a bainitic structure at the surface. It is used when a wear resistant surface is
important and, at the same time, good ductility at the surface and no more than minor distortion are also
required. Carburizing is the same as HT9 or HT10. Quenching corresponds to HT49.

Parts heat treated to HT13 are first carburized in a carburizing compound to the required case depth and
surface carbon content. After carburizing, the parts are quenched to the desired temperature and kept at
that temperature until transformation to the required bainitic structure is complete. A salt bath is generally
required for both carburizing and quenching. Required times and temperatures are obtained from TTT
curves.

HT20 Carbonitride and Quench

Plain carbon steels are more commonly carbonitrided than carburized. Carbonitriding is a combination of
carburizing and nitriding accomplished by adding ammonia to the furnace atmosphere to produce a case
which contains nitrides in addition to carbon enrichment. A very hard, wear resistant surface with an
improvement in anti–weld properties is obtained upon quenching, usually in oil.

Carbonitriding is used on medium carbon alloy steels to combine maximum wear resistance and anti–weld
properties with the high strength of deep hardening. Carbonitrided case depth is limited to 0.28 mm
maximum for these applications. A deeper case will tend to spall off.

Carbonitriding is also used for obtaining a file hard case, usually with oil quenching, on steels which could
require water quenching to obtain similar case properties by carburizing. Core hardness and distortion of
parts would be lower with carbonitriding plus oil quenching than with carburizing plus water quenching.
Case depth is usually limited to 0.90 mm maximum in these applications.

The process consists of heating parts to a temperature above the transformation range in a carburizing
atmosphere with ammonia added. The usual temperature range is 700 to 900°C. Treatment at the lower
end of this range produces a case with relatively high nitrogen content. Treatment at the upper end of this
range results in greatly reduced nitrogen content. When the required case depth has been obtained, the
work is quenched, usually in oil.

HT21 Carburlze, Carbonitride, and Quench

This cycle is a variation of HT10 in which the deeper case of carburizing is combined with improved
hardenability or carbonitriding on the surface.

The procedure is the same as HT10 except that at the end of the carburizing period required to obtain the
case depth, ammonia is added to the atmosphere gas and the temperature is reduced to about 850°C for
the carbonitriding operation, which is followed by quenching.

HT22 Carbonitride and Slow Cool

This treatment is similar to HT20 and is used for thin sectioned parts in which excessive distortion would
occur in oil quenching. Surface hardness is usually somewhat lower than obtainable with oil quenching.
The slow cooling operation is performed in a sealed furnace vestibule to prevent scale formation.

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HT25 Cyanide and Quench

This process has been largely eliminated from Deere heat treating facilities because of the toxic nature of
the cyanide salts required and the attendant handling and disposal problems.

Case depth is limited, typically 0.13 to 0.28 mm and either water or oil may be used for quenching. Parts
may be treated selectively by partial submersion.

The procedure consists of heating the work in a molten salt bath containing 20 to 30 percent sodium
cyanide at a temperature in the range 790 to 850°C, holding for a maximum of one hour at temperature,
then quenching in water or oil.

HT26 Gaseous Nitrocarburizing

This process is used to produce a thin epsilon iron carbonitride compound layer and other case properties
on ferrous parts by means of a gaseous, low temperature thermal process. This process is applied to
increase resistance to wear, corrosion, and fatigue on ferrous materials such as carbon, low alloy, and tool
steels, as well as cast irons.

The process consists of heating the parts in an atmosphere of diluted ammonia and carrier gas to a
temperature of approximately 570oC. Following heat treatment, the parts may be quenched in a variety of
media, such as water, oil, synthetics, soluble oil, or other solutions. Compound layer depths of 0.004 to
0.025 mm may be obtained. The process may also include an oxidizing treatment to produce black
protective finishes.

HT27 Liquid Nitride

This process is used on plain carbon and alloy steels to combine maximum wear, toughness, and
anti–galling properties with low distortion. The latter is possible because of the low processing temperature
and elimination of quenching. Its application. It is generally similar to that of gas nitriding, especially for
0.25 mm maximum case depth requirements.

The process consists of heating parts in a molten salt bath of a proprietary composition to a temperature in
the range of 510 to 570°C, holding long enough to obtain the required case depth, and cooling to room
temperature. Cooling in a water bath may be used to remove salt and to shorten handling time.

The toxic nature of the cyanide salts usually supplied for this process makes it subject to the same handling
and disposal problems as with HT25.

HT28 Gas Nitride

This process is applied to certain types of alloy steel parts for one or more of the following reasons: very
high surface hardness and related wear resistance, anti–galling and fatigue properties, improved corrosion
resistance, or to obtain a surface which is resistant to softening up to the temperature used in nitriding
process.

Because of the low temperatures employed, the processing cycles for typical case depths are relatively
long, and only light depths are commonly required. Parts are given a prior HT40T heat treatment to
establish required core properties. Tempering treatment is usually somewhat higher than the nitriding
temperature to assure structural stability during the nitriding operation. Parts are usually straightened and
finished to size, including grinding, with very slight, if any, allowance for growth prior to nitriding.

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The treatment consists of holding the work at a temperature in the range of 450 to 570°C in contact with a
nitrogen–rich atmosphere, usually ammonia and its thermal decomposition products, until the required case
depth has been obtained, then cooling under atmosphere to room temperature. Suitable purging of the
furnace chamber must be provided to prevent oxidation of the parts during heating, to reduce operator
discomfort from the ammonia when the furnace is opened at the end of the cooling cycle, and for safety
reasons.

HT29 Ion Nitride

This process is applied to carbon and alloy steels to achieve good wear resistance, fatigue strength, high
surface hardness with comparatively high toughness, and improved corrosion resistance. Because
processing temperatures are low and no quenching is needed, ion nitriding provides excellent dimensional
control and retention of surface finish. Parts will generally be finished, grinding included, prior to ion
nitriding.

Compared to HT27 and HT28, this process can produce compound nitride zones or, alternatively, a nitride
diffusion layer alone. This allows the production of parts with higher stress values.

To obtain optimum properties, parts will first be hardened, then tempered at a temperature above the ion
nitriding temperature.

The procedure consists of heating the work to the nitriding temperature (350 to 580°C) in a vacuum, then
using high voltage electrical energy to ionize the processing gas. Nitrogen ions bombard the surface and
cause intense diffusion of nitrogen into the work.

HT45 Carburlze and Marquench

This process is similar to HT10 except for the higher quench bath temperature used in marquenching.
Marquenching of steel, consists of quenching from the austenitizing temperature in hot oil or molten salt at a
temperature in the upper part of the martensite formation range; holding in the quenching bath until the steel
has stabilized at the bath temperature; then cooling, usually in air, at a moderate rate to prevent any large
temperature differential between the outside and the center of the section. The uniform formation of
martensite throughout the workpiece during cooling to room temperature avoids the formation of excessive
residual stresses and minimizes the distortion that results from unequal transformation rates normally
associated with conventional quenching.

Modified marquenching differs from standard marquenching in that the quench bath temperature is lower,
from just below the martensite point to approximately 100°C. Modified marquenching results in faster
cooling than the standard process. This is important for steels of lower hardenability, which require faster
cooling to harden to sufficient depth. Modified marquenching is, therefore, applicable to a greater range of
steel compositions.

HT46 After Carburizing, Slow Cooling, Reheat, and Marquench

This process combines the features of reheating after carburizing as described for HT11 or HT12 with
marquenching.

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3.3 HARDENING BY THROUGH HEATING

HT15 Heat, Correct Carbon, and Quench

This procedure is designed for steel parts where full surface hardness is necessary and the presence of a
decarburized surface layer would prevent attaining it. Automatically controlled carbon potential of the
furnace atmosphere is highly desirable. In practice, the surface carbon minimum is maintained at the
subsurface or core carbon level, and the process variation is taken on the high side.

The process consists of heating parts to a temperature above the transformation range in an atmosphere
having a suitable carburizing potential for the results desired, holding for a time long enough to restore the
carbon content of the decarburized zone, followed by quenching in a suitable medium.

HT16 Heat, Correct Carbon, and Slow Cool

This procedure is identical to that of HT15 with the exception of the quench. It is used for parts where full
surface hardness is necessary. It is used most often in countries or in circumstances when cold drawn
carbon corrected steels are not readily available, and is usually used in conjunction with a selective
hardening operation such as induction or flame hardening.

The process consists of heating parts to a temperature above the transformation range in an atmosphere
having a suitable carburizing potential for the results desired, holding for a time long enough to restore the
carbon content of the decarburized zone, followed by slow cooling in a suitable medium.

HT40 Heat and Quench

This process may be applied to any hardenable steel or pearlitic iron. The composition of the materials
used must match the requirements imposed by the hardness level specified, the depth of hardening
desired, the cross section of the part where hardness or other properties are important, and the cooling
power of the quench system used. Distortion control level and depth of hardening required, cracking risks
and economics are the usual factors which determine the best combination of material, equipment, and
process variables for treating a given part by this process.

The procedure consists of heating parts above the transformation range, holding long enough to obtain
complete transformation, followed by direct quenching in a suitable medium, usually water or oil. When
scale free results are required, the suffix “C” is used to indicate clean hardening. When control of surface
carbon is required, furnace atmosphere or salt bath composition must be maintained at a carbon potential
to match the carbon content of the parts.

HT48 Heat and Marquench

This process is similar to HT40 except for the quench. This procedure is used where through hardening is
to be performed with minimum risk of cracking and/or distortion. Here again, as in HT45, only modified
marquenching is possible for commonly used steels. Relatively high alloy content is required to accomplish
true marquenching.

The quenching cycle consists of quenching in a bath having a controlled temperature somewhat above the
martensite transformation range for the steel. After the work has reached the bath temperature, it is
removed and cooled in still air, at which time the transformation occurs almost simultaneously in all sections
of the workpiece.

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HT49 Heat and Austemper

Austempering is the isothermal transformation of a ferrous alloy at a temperature below that of pearlite
formation and above that of martensite formation. The primary purpose of austempering is to obtain
increased ductility at relatively high hardness, to give distortion control, and to reduce the risk of cracking.
When austempering is applied to unalloyed medium and high carbon steels, it is usually restricted to section
sizes below 5 mm when maximum properties are required. Thicker sections can be treated, depending
upon the properties required, the steel composition, and the bath circulation. Because of the requirement
for good heat transfer in the bath, parts require controlled atmosphere or salt bath equipment for the heating
cycle to avoid the formation of heavy scale.

The true austempering process consists of heating parts above the transformation temperature, then
cooling from the austenitizing temperature to the quench bath temperature (200 to 400°C) rapidly enough
that no transformation of austenite occurs during cooling, and holding at a constant bath temperature long
enough to ensure the complete transformation of austenite to bainite. Parts are then cooled, usually in air,
to room temperature. Subsequent tempering is not necessary.

Modified austempering gives arise to mixed structures of pearlite and bainite. The process varies from the
austempering in that the quenching rate is slower. Varying amounts of pearlite and bainite are produced by
differently modified processes.

Special salt bath equipment and austempering salts are required to obtain the required bath heat transfer
capability.

3.4 HARDENING BY SURFACE HEATING

HT30 Heat by Induction and Quench

This process is applied mostly to medium carbon or carburized steels and to pearlitic cast irons. The
inherent variation in microstructure of as–cast pearlitic irons, such as gray, pearlitic malleable and nodular,
often makes preliminary heat treatment necessary in order to assure desired uniformity of subsequent
induction hardening results. Because of the rapid heating, the process can be made selective both as to
surface area and depth of penetration of the heating. Scale formation and decarburization are minimized
without atmosphere control. Distortion control and process time are major advantages over furnace
hardening.

Induction heating may be selected for a number of reasons, including the following: (1) parts are
uneconomical, impractical, or too large for conventional furnace heating; (2) only a small segment of the
total part requires heat treatment; (3) required dimensional accuracy of the part is difficult or impossible to
attain or control by furnace heating; (4) the use of induction heating permits making a part from a less costly
material.

The procedure consists of heating the surface portion of a part by means of induced electric currents to a
temperature above the transformation range, followed by quenching, usually in water, soluble oil or mineral
oil. Either spray, jet, or submerged quench may be used, depending upon the application. Equipment for
this process must be carefully engineered to produce the desired results.

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HT31 Preheat, Heat by Induction, and Quench

This process is used as a means, of controlling cracking risk, especially on sections containing keyways,
rack teeth, holes, etc., and where progressive heating and quenching is also necessary.

The procedure is the same as HT30 except that a preheating cycle precedes the hardening operation. The
preheating may be done by any convenient method. Time–temperature cycles usually bring the part to a
temperature below the transformation range.

HT32 Through Heat by Induction, Quench, and Surface Heat by Induction

This process can be utilized for medium carbon alloy steels that are susceptible to cracking, provided there
is no slip area where a soft surface overlaps the hardened zone.

Induction through–heating with subsequent quenching produces a uniform structure which, after
succeeding induction hardening, forms an extremely fine grain, uniform martensite. This process reduces
the variation of surface hardness depth that results from differences in the hot–rolled or forged material.
Preliminary quenching and tempering of the material improves durability of parts such as PTO shafts.

This process corresponds to a combined HT40 and HT30 heat treatment.

HT35 Heat by Flame and Quench

This process is usually applied to medium carbon steels and pearlitic cast irons. The selection of flame
versus induction heating methods depends upon the results desired, equipment available, and economic
factors. In general, flame heating is slower than induction; heat penetration is deeper; and process control
is less precise.

The procedure consists of heating a part by means of direct impingement of a burner or torch flame to a
temperature above the transformation range, followed by quenching in water, soluble oil emulsion, or oil (in
special circumstances). An additional fire hazard arises when oil quenching is used with flame heating, and
special safety precautions should be exercised in the design and operation of such equipment. Usually,
only specified areas of a part are hardened.

Heating equipment may be as simple as an oxy–acetylene torch using an open tank or spray quench. For
short runs or for work where induction equipment is not available or justified, this process may be attractive,
provided that acceptable results can be achieved.

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3.5 HEATING WHILE UNDER PHYSICAL PRESSURE

HT36 Laser Harden and Self–Quench –– Steel

This process may be used on plain and low alloy, medium and high carbon steels and cast irons to surface
harden for high wear resistance. Because of the very high rate of heat input and highly focused light beam,
the process is inherently selective in both depth of hardening and area treated. The low total heat input
normally results in the unheated core material acting as the quench medium. Additionally, the low heat
input results in minimum distortion compared to other heat treatment processes.

The procedure consists of a high intensity beam of laser light, which is directed to the part by a set of
mirrors. The laser beam may then be focused on the part surface through the use of special glass or metal
lenses. Either the part or the laser beam may be moved to create the area of coverage of surface pattern
desired. Proper feed rates and power density results in the surface heating above the austenitic
temperature. The cold core material generally will self–quench the surface to a martensitic structure.
Liquid quench and/or tempering may be added if required.

Equipment for this process must be carefully engineered to produce the desired result.

HT37 Electron Beam Harden and Self–Quench –– Steel

Same description and results as HT36, but uses and electron beam rather than a light beam and requires a
vacuum chamber around the system. It therefore is more of a batch process. This process can result in
cleaner as–treated surfaces.

HT38 Laser Chill Harden –– Cast Iron

This process may be used on cast irons to surface harden for very high wear resistance. Because of the
high rate of heat input and highly focused light beam, the process is inherently selective in both depth of
hardening and area treated. The low heat input results in minimum distortion compared to other heat
treatment processes. Because the surface is melted, post treatment machining will frequently be required.

The procedure consists of a high intensity beam of laser light, which is directed to the part by a set of
mirrors. The laser beam may then be focused on the part surface through the use of special glass or metal
lenses. Either the part or the laser beam may be moved to create the area of coverage of surface pattern
desired. Proper feed rates and power density results in the surface heating above the liquid temperature.
The cold core material may self–quench the surface to an iron carbide (chill) structure. Frequently a copper
chill block will be required to contain the liquid iron and to assure adequate cooling rate.

Equipment for this process must be carefully engineered to produce the desired result.

HT39 Electron Beam Chill Harden –– Cast Iron

Same description and results as HT38, but uses an electron beam rather than a light beam and requires a
vacuum chamber around the system. It therefore is more of a batch process. This process can result in
cleaner as–treated surfaces.

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HT51 Hot Flatten

This process is used for improving or maintaining the flatness of metallic parts that cannot be obtained by
simple press flattening.

The treatment consists of heating the work while under pressure to a temperature in the range of 370 to
700°C, followed by cooling to room temperature. For scale–free work, a suitable protective atmosphere
may be used in the furnace or a subsequent descaling operation may be necessary.

4. SUFFIX DESIGNATIONS

4.1 SUFFIX C –– CLEAN OR SCALE FREE TREATMENT. The “C” suffix is added to the heat treat
number when the control of decarburizing and/or scaling obtainable by heat treatment in controlled,
atmosphere or salt bath furnaces is required.

4.2 SUFFIX R –– RESTRICTED CARBON GRADIENT. The “R” suffix is applicable only to carburizing
processes. It is used especially on parts where unusually severe service conditions demand metallurgical
properties which must be held within limits closer than those normally acceptable. Automatic carbon control
equipment is usually necessary on carburizing furnaces for monitoring and controlling the composition of
the atmosphere–gas mixture accurately enough to satisfy the process requirements. Details of the carbon
gradient required must be specified when using this suffix.

4.3 SUFFIX S –– SELECTIVE TREATMENT. The “S” suffix is added to heat treatment numbers, in
cases where a selective treatment is required. The surface hardening treatments (HT30, HT31, and HT35)
are inherently selective and do not normally require this suffix. The location of a selective treatment on a
part should be specified on the drawing.

4.4 SUFFIX T –– TEMPERING. The purpose of tempering is usually one or more of the following: to
reduce residual quenching stresses, to increase ductility and toughness, and to soften to attain a specified
hardness range after a quenching operation. The process is useful in cases where parts are sensitive to
cracking, breakage, or dimensional instability in subsequent processing such as blast cleaning,
straightening, plating, assembly, or because of service conditions.

Tempering, as used in this standard, means reheating iron or steel parts after a previous heat treatment,
such as a heat and quench operation, to a temperature below the transformation range. The temperature
may be from 150 to 690°C depending upon the results required and the materials used. A soak time is
established to assure uniformity of work temperature throughout the part and furnace load. Cooling to room
temperature follows. Tempering is distinguished from HT5 or HT6 by the fact that no prior heat treatment is
associated with the latter two. The metallurgical requirement for uniform work temperature and avoidance
of excessive temperatures in a furnace charge establishes a need for adequate circulation of the air or other
heating medium, indirect application of heat, and relatively sensitive pyrometric control equipment.

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