Heat Treatment
Austempering
ADI is a material produced through a specialized heat treatment process applied to a base ductile iron. The ADI process involves high temperature homogenization of components followed by isothermal quenching into molten salt baths at elevated temperatures.
The completed process results in isothermal transformation – Ausferrite in Austempered Ductile Iron, Austempered Grey Iron and Bainite in steels.
Austempering is a high performance heat treatment that imparts superior properties to ferrous materials. At our ADI (Austempered Ductile Iron)facility, we produce –
- Austempered Ductile Iron (ADI)
- Austempered Gray Iron (AGI)
- Austempered Steel Carbo-Austempered™ Steel
- Carbidic Austempered Ductile Iron (CADI)
Hardening & Tempering
The primary aim of the conventional hardening and tempering process is to enhance the mechanical properties of the bulk material, producing specific combinations of tensile/proof strengths, hardness and ductility (impact strengths). The process involves careful heating to high temperatures, ‘soaking’ for specific duration, quenching in polymer or salt – depending on the material and requirements, followed by tempering of the hardened material to partly or substantially relieve quenching stresses and develop the particular properties required.
Annealing
Annealing is a generic term covering a range of processes which can be carried out at a variety of temperatures. The primary purpose of annealing is to reduce the hardness of a material for subsequent machining. It also increases ductility and helps to eliminate residual stresses. Controlled temperature and controlled cooling is necessary to ensure the correct material structure.
