Azoth offers in-house heat treatment as part of its vertically integrated workflow. This page covers the processes available, the 17-4PH conditions offered and what to call out on your drawing.
Learn more about Finishing at Azoth
Heat Treatment at a Glance
| Processes | Solutioning, aging, annealing, HIP (hot isostatic pressing) |
|---|---|
| 17-4PH conditions | H900, H1075, H1150 |
| Other alloys | Many more conditions, depending on the alloy |
Heat Treatment Processes and 17-4PH Conditions
| Process | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Solutioning | Heats the alloy so its alloying elements dissolve evenly into the metal, which prepares it for aging. |
| Aging | Holds the part at a lower temperature to raise strength and hardness. |
| Annealing | Softens the material and relieves internal stress. |
| HIP (hot isostatic pressing) | Applies high temperature and gas pressure together to close internal porosity. |
For 17-4PH stainless steel, heat treatments include H900, H1075 and H1150, with many more available depending on the alloy.
Each 17-4PH condition is named for its aging temperature in degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures such as H900 give the highest strength and hardness, while higher temperatures such as H1150 trade some strength for toughness.
What to Send Us for Heat Treatment
- The alloy and the condition you need, for example 17-4PH in condition H900
- Any hardness or mechanical property requirement the part must meet
- The features that must hold their tolerance after heat treatment
Designing Parts for Heat Treatment
Distortion and Wall Thickness
Parts can move slightly during heat treatment as internal stresses relax. Thin walls, long unsupported features and sudden changes in section thickness are the most likely to distort, so keep sections as uniform as the design allows.
Tight-Tolerance Features
Heat treatment can shift dimensions by a small amount. Flag the features that must hold a tight tolerance so the order of operations can be planned around them.
Hot Isostatic Pressing (HIP)
HIP closes porosity inside the part, which improves density and fatigue performance. It does not close pores that are open to the surface.
Heat Treatment Pre-Flight Checklist
Review this list before you send your part.
- The alloy and required condition are called out on the drawing
- Hardness or mechanical property requirements are stated
- Features that must hold tolerance after heat treatment are flagged
- Thin walls and sudden changes in section thickness have been reviewed for distortion
Next Steps in the Azoth Workflow
The steps that can follow Heat Treatment in Azoth's vertically integrated workflow.
Still Have Questions?
Contact us today and our Applications Engineering team will get back to you as soon as possible.