Integrated Heat Treating Solutions

Benefits Provided by IHTS and Z-Dimensions Designs

• Optimizing the mechanical properties for a given alloy’s “Hardenability,” while considering alloy cost and availability; coupled with the proper heat treatments for a given part mass and geometry—an optimal “Ability to Harden” or forge using our practical experience, buttressed with modern FEA and CFD modeling tools. 
• Light weighting of part mass while delivering higher part strength, ductility and consistently longer part life into the existing product envelope.
• Reducing part distortion to eliminate millions of dollars of time and energy spent on post-heat treating processing with our Quench2FIT™ suite of technologies; new technologies that reduce hard turning, grinding, straightening, part cleaning, mechanical shot peeing, etc., as well as eliminate the hazards of batch oil quenching and facilitate “in the cell” heat treatments.
• Optimal part grain refinement for a given alloy using the least costly alloy of steel or ductile iron (IQDI®) for the “intended quench” that yields consistently uniform mechanical properties for a given part geometry and mass (for higher power density and longer lasting parts).
• Predictable size change after quench (low distortion) with uniform control of the three types of size change from heat treat quenching: thermal shrinkage, phase change expansion and unstable retained austenite.
• Optimal compressive surface stress state in the tempered part, as well as an optimal balance of hardness and ductility; the addition of a “Third Dimension” of compressive surface stress after heat treating yields longer cyclic fatigue life and lighter, higher power density, power transmission components.
• In-line, single part flow heat treating—even for case hardened parts (this can be done without the long, energy intensive, batch carburizing process) or direct from the forge intensive quenching (DFIQ).
• Alignment of lean + green company initiatives with heat treating by elimination of oil quenching hazards and by shortening, or full elimination of heating cycle times (DFIQ and Controlled Hardenability Steels for case hardened-core toughened parts without batch carburizing).
• Integration of modern computer modeling tools for lean part design, with the optimal material alloy selection, for more net shape, higher power density and longer wearing heat treated parts, all at a lower total cost of manufacture.

To integrate all our traditional and advanced heat treating technologies into the lean part manufacturing value stream, and to fully enable the above benefits, IHTS consultants can also provide heat treat metallurgy training.