HARDENING PROCESSES AT HTR

Hardening, Nitriding, Annealing and Deep Freezing

Heat treatment processes for highest demands

HTR Heat Treatment offers specialized processes for the optimal refinement of metals and materials. With state-of-the-art technology and decades of experience, we guarantee maximum precision, quality, and reliability. Our processes improve the hardness, wear resistance, toughness, and dimensional stability of components—tailored to your individual requirements.

Hardening

During hardening, the material is made more resistant through targeted heat treatment. This process increases hardness and strength, improves wear resistance, and extends the service life of components.

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Nitriding

Nitriding is a thermochemical process in which nitrogen is introduced into the surface layer of the material. The result: harder surfaces, high corrosion resistance, and a minimized risk of material fatigue.

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Deep freezing

Deep freezing (cryogenic treatment) is used to complete the microstructural transformation in steel. The extremely low temperatures improve dimensional stability, increase wear resistance, and significantly extend the service life of tools.

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Annealing

Annealing reduces stresses in the material that arise during machining or forming. This process ensures optimal microstructural properties, improved workability, and uniform material properties.

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Differences in heat treatments

Category	Hardening	Nitriding	Annealing	Cryogenic Treatment
Purpose / Goal	Increase hardness and strength	Surface hardening, corrosion resistance	Stress relief, homogenize microstructure	Optimize microstructure transformation
Process Description	Heating to hardening temperature followed by quenching	Thermochemical process with nitrogen infusion	Slow heating and controlled cooling	Cooling to extremely low temperatures
Result / Effect	High hardness, improved wear resistance	Hard surface, high wear and corrosion resistance	Uniform material properties, improved machinability	Improved dimensional stability, increased wear resistance, longer tool life
Typical Materials	Steel, tool steel, alloys	Steel, iron alloys	Steel, iron, non-ferrous metals	Tool steel, high-alloy materials
Typical Applications	Tools, machine components, gears	Bearings, connecting rods, shafts, gears	Forged parts, hardened components	Cutting tools, dies, precision components
Temperature Range	800–1,000 °C	500–600 °C	500–900 °C	-70 to -196 °C
Advantages	High strength, wear resistance	High surface hardness, no deformation	Stress relief, improved machinability	Higher wear resistance, dimensional stability
Disadvantages	Risk of stress cracks, dimensional changes	Slow process, only surface protection	No hardness increase, time-consuming	Only effective as a post-hardening treatment

HEAT treatment processes at HTR

At HTR in Thalheim near Wels, we offer professional heat treatment for steel, tool steel, and alloys. Whether hardening, nitriding, annealing, or cryogenic treatment, our processes ensure that your machine parts, tools, and precision components remain durable, wear-resistant, and dimensionally stable. Thanks to our company-owned transport fleet and reliable logistics partners, we offer daily pick-ups and deliveries in Austria, Bavaria, and South Tyrol, ensuring that your components are delivered on time and safely.

Why choose HTR in Thalheim near Wels?

Regional proximity in Upper Austria: fast and reliable delivery thanks to our own transport fleet.
Delivery in Bavaria and South Tyrol: daily transport by reliable logistics partners.
Individual consultation: we recommend the optimal heat treatment process for your material.
State-of-the-art technology: precise hardening and surface treatments for the highest demands.

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