Heat treatment

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Heat treatment of metals

Furnace hardening – strengthening the metal structure and improving its properties. Heat treatment increases resistance to wear and load and extends the service life of parts.

Technical information

Furnaces: several heat-treatment furnaces
Maximum part dimensions: 295 × 420 × 295 mm
Maximum operating temperature: 1200 °C
Processes: hardening, tempering, annealing, normalising, carburising
Materials machined: carbon and alloy steels, tool steels
Production volumes: prototypes, one-off, small and medium batch production
Industries served: furniture, automotive, aerospace, defence, pharmaceutical, food and more
Logistics: manufacturing in Kaunas, delivery in Lithuania and abroad

Heat-treated part examples

Heat treatment doesn’t change a part’s shape – it changes the material itself. After hardening, the same part withstands several times more friction and load, even though it looks exactly the same. That is why this step often decides whether a product lasts a year or a decade.

We have several furnaces, so different treatments can run in parallel – no waiting for one to become free. We heat-treat both our own parts and parts brought in from elsewhere. If a part must meet an exact dimension after hardening, we can grind it straight away – both jobs are done in the same workshop in Kaunas.

Dimensional inspection of a heat-treated part with a digital caliper
Dimensional inspection
Heat-treatment furnace temperature chart over a multi-day cycle
Process temperature chart
Temperature controller displays of two heat-treatment furnaces showing actual and set temperature
Furnace temperature control

How do we handle orders?

01

Enquiry

We carefully review the 2D drawings, 3D models and technical specifications you provide, and assess the part geometry and material properties.

02

Quotation

We agree on the manufacturing technology, tolerances, quantities and lead times, and provide an accurate quotation. Once the order is confirmed, the project goes straight into our production schedule. If needed, we also arrange additional services (heat treatment, anodising, galvanising, etc.).

03

Production

We manufacture using modern equipment. To ensure full compliance with the technical requirements, we carry out strict measurement and quality control both during and after machining.

04

Logistics

We pack products securely to protect surfaces from damage and deliver them to the agreed address on time.

How to submit an enquiry

The more precise your enquiry, the faster you get a price. A drawing and the quantity are usually enough, but if you have more information, send it straight away – it saves extra questions.

What to provide

3D models: STEP (.stp, .step), IGES, Parasolid, SolidWorks
2D drawings: DWG, DXF, PDF
No CAD files? A good-quality photo or scan of the drawing also works
No drawing? For heat treatment, the part itself and the material grade are often enough

Useful to include

Quantity: a single part or a batch – this determines the technology and price
Material grade: determines whether the part can be hardened at all
Required hardness: HRC value or the part’s operating conditions
Will the part be machined further: minor distortion is possible after hardening
Lead time: when the part is needed on site

We treat drawings and technical information as confidential – we do not share them with third parties or use them for other orders.

Materials used in manufacturing

We use only high-quality, certified materials. Taking into account your project requirements, operating conditions and loads, we help you choose the optimal material.

Carbon steels: 1.1191 (C45E) and more
Alloy steels: 1.7225 (42CrMo4) and more
Tool steels: according to the grade specified by the customer
Cast iron: EN-GJL-250, EN-GJS-400 and more

Frequently asked questions

Heat treatment of metals is a controlled process of heating, holding at high temperature and cooling, which changes the internal structure of the material and thus its mechanical properties – hardness, strength and wear resistance.

Unlike machining, heat treatment does not change the shape or dimensions of the part – it changes the material itself. That is why it is usually performed after milling or turning, as a final production step.

We provide heat treatment services from our production base in Kaunas – for customers in Lithuania and across Europe.

Hardening: the part is heated and rapidly cooled – achieving high hardness and wear resistance.
Tempering: after hardening, the part is reheated to a lower temperature to reduce internal stresses and brittleness while retaining the required hardness.
Annealing: slow heating and cooling in the furnace – the metal softens, stresses are relieved and the part becomes easier to machine.
Normalising: the part is heated above the critical temperature and cooled in still air – refining the structure, evening out material properties and relieving stresses left after casting, forging or welding.
Carburising: the part’s surface is enriched with carbon and hardened – producing a hard, wear-resistant surface while keeping a tough, impact-resistant core. Suitable for gears, small shafts and other parts subject to high friction.

Heat treatment is needed when a part is subjected to high loads, friction or impact in service – for example, cutting tools, dies, cams, small shafts or gears.

It is also used to relieve stresses after welding or intensive machining, or when the part must meet a specific hardness value (HRC) stated on the drawing.

Not sure whether your part needs it? Tell us the conditions it will work in – we’ll suggest a suitable treatment or tell you it isn’t necessary.

Advantages:
Greater wear resistance: a hardened surface withstands much higher friction, so parts last longer.
Higher strength: the changed metal structure lets the part carry higher loads without changing its dimensions or weight.
Relief of internal stresses: tempering and annealing remove stresses left after welding or machining, so the part does not distort in service.
Controlled result: the process follows a set treatment cycle, and the result is verified by hardness testing.
Limitations:
Risk of distortion: heating and cooling can change a part’s dimensions slightly, so precision parts are often ground after heat treatment.
Material limitations: not all metals can be hardened – the result depends on the carbon and alloying element content of the material.
Additional production step: heat treatment lengthens the overall production cycle, so it is worth allowing for it when planning lead times.
Size limitations: part size is limited by the furnace working space.

Have a project?

Share your project requirements by email and we will prepare a tailored quotation. We are also happy to advise on early-stage projects – helping you assess needs and options and find the optimal solution.