ABSTRACT
The heat treatment of metallic alloys can be effectively used to obtain the mechanical properties that are desired for the alloy. Many of the phase transformations that occur are controlled by the temperature and time of heat treatment. The precise control of temperature and time is necessary to produce high-quality parts and components with the specified properties in the automobile industries. In this chapter the concept of phase and phase transformation, iron–iron carbide phase (Fe-Fe 3 C) equilibrium diagram, common heat treatment processes and their applications; annealing, normalising, hardening, tempering, different surface hardening processes, i.e. gas carburising, nitriding, cyaniding, induction and flame hardening heat treatment processes in the automotive industry are elaborated.
