What Is Normalizing?
Normalizing at Thermex Metal Treating is a ferritic heat treatment process that is used to make a iron based alloy steel more ductile and tough. This is achieved after the part(s) have been subjected to thermal hardening processes. Normalizing involves heating the steel to an elevated temperature, followed by slow cooling to room temperature. The heating and slow cooling changes the microstructure of the steel. This reduces the hardness of the steel and will increases its ductility.
Normalizing is performed when another process has decreased ductility and increased hardness of machine steel parts. Normalizing reforms the microstructure into more ductile structures. This makes the metal more formable, more machinable, and reduces residual stress within the material that could lead to unexpected failure.
Normalizing vs. annealing
Normalizing |
annealing |
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The Process
- Recovery stage
- A furnace raises the material to a high temperature where its internal stresses are relieved.
- Recrystallization stage
- The parts are heated above the materials recrystallization temperature, but below its melting temperature. This causes new grains without stresses.
- Grain growth stage
- New grains grow. Controlled growth by allowing the parts to cool to room temperature.
What can Thermex Normalize?
Iron based alloys (tool steel, carbon steel, stainless steel, and cast iron)
Contact Thermex for more information on normalizing.