Steeltec is able to configure the composition and structure of the steel in such a way that the final heat-treatment stage results in a customized steel material with exactly the right physical and mechanical properties for a specific application. This is how Steeltec has created a broad portfolio of case-hardening steels and quenched and tempered steels that are designed to meet individual customer requirements.
Tempering and hardening of our rolled steels
The quench and temper process (also referred to as through-hardening) is a treatment process in which the steel is hardened across its entire cross-section; case hardening, in contrast, is a purely surface treatment in which the microstructure of the core material remains unchanged. At Steeltec, case hardening is used to harden the rolled steels that are to be used by chain manufacturers. Careful adjustment of the chemical composition is critical as the steel has to fulfill different requirements. The surface needs to be hard but the metal core needs to tough so that the chain can carry heavy loads without any risk of fracturing.
Steeltec also offers other heat treatment processes, such as softening. These additional heat treatment and surface treatment operations are carried out by European partners who are themselves market leaders in their fields.