One of the most critical processes performed in heat treatment furnaces is quenching, which involves rapidly cooling the material after it has been heated to a specific temperature. Quenching is often done by immersing the material in water, oil, or air to rapidly reduce its temperature. The cooling rate is essential, as it determines the material's hardness and other mechanical properties. Quenching is often followed by tempering, where the material is heated again to a lower temperature to reduce brittleness while maintaining the desired hardness.
In addition to quenching, annealing is another critical heat treatment process that involves heating materials to a specific temperature and then cooling them slowly. Annealing softens the material, relieving internal stresses and improving its ductility. This process is essential for materials that will undergo further forming or machining processes, as it ensures that the material will not fracture or crack during subsequent operations.