Annealing
Annealing is a heat treatment process we use to soften metal and produce desired changes in its microstructure. It is used to improve machinability, create dimensional stability, relieve stresses, and define the crystalline grain structure of the material. Annealing techniques we employ include:
Bright annealing is done in a protective atmosphere or vacuum in order to prevent the discoloration or dulling of a surface.
This consists of heating the higher alloy or higher carbon steels to a temperature above the upper critical temperature limit, and then slowly cooling it, usually in the furnace.
Jasco uses this heat treating process to soften metals which will be used for stamping and forming. This consists of heating the metal to a set temperature and then cooling it very slowly. The end product has a changed metallurgical structure which somewhat resembles spheres or balls.
We use this process to heat a ferrous alloy to a temperature that is above the transformation range. The purpose is to initiate a phase change in the metal’s microstructure. The material is then cooled in air, or in a vacuum at a rate that is equivalent to air cooling.
In order to reduce stress in machined or fabricated parts, and assure dimensional stability, this treatment utilizes a uniform heating process and a slow, uniform cooling process.