Precision Heat Treatment in a Controlled, Oxygen-Free Environment
Vacuum heat treating is a high-temperature thermal processing method performed in a sealed vacuum furnace to eliminate oxidation, decarburization, and surface contamination. By precisely controlling temperature, time, and cooling rates, vacuum heat treating produces clean, scale-free parts with excellent dimensional stability and repeatable mechanical properties.
AHT’s vacuum heat treating equipment accommodates a large range of temperatures, allowing us to support various vacuum processes for tool steels, alloy steels, and stainless steels.
Vacuum
Hardening / Gas Quenching
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Vacuum
Tempering
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Vacuum
Stress Relieving
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Vacuum / Bright
Annealing
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Benefits of Vacuum Heat Treating
Vacuum heat treating offers distinct advantages for components requiring high performance, tight tolerances, and consistent metallurgical results. Processing parts in an oxygen-free vacuum environment allows for superior control compared to conventional atmosphere heat treating.
Key benefits include:
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Bright, scale-free parts with no measurable surface oxidation or decarburization
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Improved dimensional stability and minimal distortion compared to oil quenching
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Often eliminates post-hardening cleaning or machining
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Uniform hardness through the entire part - not just at the surface
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Repeatable results
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Environmentally-friendly with no oils or salts
Common Materials
Tool Steels (A2, A11, D2, H13, CPM10V, T15); High Speed Steels (M2, M4); Alloy Steel (4140, 4340), Martensitic Stainless Steels (410, 420, 440C), Precipitation Hardened Stainless Steels (17-4PH, 15-5PH), Select alloy steels engineered for vacuum processing, Etc.
Curious about another material not listed here? Contact an AHT representative at 319-232-5221 or fill out our contact form.
AHT vacuum heat treating is offered at our MidPort Blvd. location in Waterloo, Iowa only.
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