Heat Treating Operator how-to

How to Harden and Temper a Steel Part

Correct cycles give the right properties.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Correct cycles give the right properties. In short: check; rack; heat, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Check the spec.

  2. Rack parts for even heat.

  3. Heat to temperature.

  4. Soak.

  5. Quench.

  6. Temper promptly.

Safety reminders for heat treating operators

  • Watch quench oil fire risk
  • Wear heat PPE
  • Monitor furnace gases
  • Follow lockout/tagout

Hardening · Tempering · Annealing · Quench · Rockwell · Case hardening: see the full heat treating operator glossary.

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