When hardening metals (precipitation or age hardening), a finely dispersed precipitation structure is created through targeted Heat treatment. This increases strength, yield strength and hardness and improves dimensional stability. Listemann supplies process-reliable solutions from sample production to series production.
Hardening is a multi-stage Heat treatmentin which artificial ageing takes place after solution annealing and quenching. In this phase, very fine particles precipitate in the metal matrix (e.g. Mg₂Si, η′, Cu-rich phases). This microstructure blocks dislocations – the strength increases, toughness and dimensional stability remain adjustable.
Significantly higher yield strength/strength with adjustable toughness
Dimensional and dimensional stability, reduced residual stresses
Weight reduction through thinner-walled, yet high-strength components
Reliability in operation (fatigue, corrosion under voltage)
Process reliability and traceability from batch to batch
Determine alloy & condition selection at an early stage, e.g. heat treatment condition H925 for material 17-4PH
Design geometry & wall thicknesses for uniform through-heating; avoid sharp notches
Plan fixing/straightening for dimension-critical components
Coordinate subsequent processes (e.g. shot peening, coating, corrosion protection) with the curing plan
Define inspection planning (random samples, target values, release criteria) before the start of series production
Incoming goods & batch inspection (chemistry, microstructure, dimensions)
Temperature and time monitoring with multipoint thermocouples and data loggers
Documented oven qualification (uniform heating, calibration)
Mechanical tests (tensile, hardness, notched bar impact), dimensional inspection and microstructure analysis
Traceability back to the material batch and process parameters
Structural and engine parts, connecting elements
Chassis and crash components, transmission components, shafts
High-strength housings, gear wheels, tool inserts
Steel components with a defined strength/toughness balance
Temperature-resistant components
Heat treatment for property adjustment and stress reduction
Maraging steels (Ni-martensitic hardenable)
Nickel and copper alloys with precipitation hardening system
Quenching
Rapid cooling (e.g. air, oil, polymer, water) to “freeze” the dissolved state.
Artificial ageing (precipitation hardening)
Isothermal holding for controlled precipitation formation (e.g. T6/T7 states for Al or H900-H1150 at 17-4PH).
Optional steps
Relaxing/tempering, straightening/fixing, surface finish and final inspection.
Conventional hardening (austenitizing + quenching + tempering) produces a martensitic structure, especially in unalloyed/low-alloy steels. Precipitation hardening uses the finest precipitates in hardenable alloys (Al, PH steels, maraging, Ni/Cu) – the mechanism is microstructurally different.
For aluminium e.g. T6/T651/T7, for 17-4PH often H900-H1150, for maraging defined aging temperatures with subsequent mass stabilization.
By means of adapted ramps, suitable quenching media, symmetrical heating and fixtures; subsequent straightening/relaxing if necessary.
Tensile test (Rp₀,₂/Rm/A), hardness, microsection/SEM, dimensional and surface testing, optional residual stress measurement.
Phone: +41 52 245 18 55
Mobile: +41 77 442 46 91
t.bachmann@listemann.com
Phone: +423 375 90 12
Mobile: +423 78 05 401
t.bitschnau@listemann.com
Phone: +48 12 6534 231
Mobile: +48 501 65 22 26
j.brelinski@listemann.com
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