2008 marked the year in which ITD added another major element of Value Added operations, Austemper Heat Treating. Features of the heat treat line include:

• 2008 continuous mesh belt
• 36" wide belt
• 1000 lbs per hour
• Furnace temperature range 1500 to 1700 degrees F
• Salt quench temperature range 600 to 750 degrees F

ITD has acquired the best in Heat Treat laboratory equipment and environmental protection systems to insure the highest standards of quality. Equipment includes:

• Plymouth Technology MRS10 Metals Removal and Water Filtration System
• GX41 Olympus Compact inverted Metallurgical Microscope
• PAX-IT Digital Image Management and Image Analysis System and Digital Microscope Camera
• LECO Spectra System 1000 Grinder/Polisher
• LECOPR-25 Semi-Automatic Mounting Press

ITD’s austemper process offers benefits over the more conventional oil quench and temper method of heat treating metal stampings that require the uppermost in distortion control. The process consists of quenching the part from the proper austentizing temperature directly into a liquid salt bath at a temperature between 590 to 710 degrees Farenheit.

Advantages of Austempering:

• Less Distortion
• Greater Ductility
• Parts are plating friendly due to the clean surface from the salt quench
• Uniform and consistent Hardness
• Tougher and More Wear Resistant
• Higher Impact and Fatigue Strengths
• Resistance to Hydrogen Embrittlement

You should use the Austempering process if:

• Material used: SAE 1045 to 1095, 4130, 4140, 5060, 5160, 6150,
• Material thickness between 0.008 and 0.150 inches,
• Hardness requirements needed in between HRC 38-52,
• Distortion prone.