Main board
Stress relieving is a bulk heat treatment performed in controlled atmosphere, characterized by heating followed by cooling in air. The process is intended to reduce internal residual stresses in the material.
The treatment allows the reduction of stresses generated by machining operations, welding, cold deformation, or other heat treatments, while keeping the steel’s microstructure, hardness, and base mechanical properties unchanged.
The process is applicable to all steels.
CHARACTERISTICS
Type of treatment:
Bulk heat treatment in controlled atmosphere
Process description:
The steel is heated in a furnace under controlled atmosphere at a temperature ranging from 480 to 650°C, depending on the material, and subsequently cooled in still air.
ADVANTAGES
- Good dimensional stability
- Minimization of distortions after machining operations
- Reduced cracking susceptibility after welding
PROCESSABLE MATERIALS
EQUIPMENT
Total number of furnaces: 2
Operating temperature range: up to 850°C
APPLICATION EXAMPLES
Industrial
- machine bases, shoulders, flanges in C45
Automotive
- casings, brackets, supports, welded frames in S355
- raw transmission components in 42CrMo4
Oil & Gas and Energy
- welded valve bodies in AISI 316
- high-pressure flanges in 42CrMo4