Thermal Processing Magazine

Tempering is a subcritical heat-treatment process used to reduce brittleness in case-hardened parts. Tempering is normally done between 280°F/138°C and 450°F/232°C, and 350°F/177°C is probably the most widely used temperature. The time is usually about 1 hour or more at temperature. “Untempered martensite is not fit for service.” This is undoubtedly something every materials or metallurgical engineering student has heard at some time. It is a well-accepted fact. However, it is not quite true.

In an article back in February 2026, I talked about the paradox of work and happiness — that this psychological phenomenon happens every day in the workplace. Employees have the potential to find flow states and do amazing work, but when asked where they would rather be, they indicate anywhere but doing the work they are doing.

D. Scott MacKenzie received the 2025 George H. Bodeen Heat Treating Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to advancing quenching technology and dedication to training within the heat treat industry. In my last article, a description of the physical metallurgy of beryllium-copper alloys was provided. In this article, we are going to discuss the heat treatment of these alloys. Cu–Be alloys typically contain 0.2–2 wt.% Be with minor additions (e.g. Co, Ni).

IHEA’s online courses have been a successful source of high-level education for those who prefer a virtual learning experience. The Fundamentals of Industrial Process Heating will run from October 26 through December 13. This extensive six-week course provides a basic understanding of process heating, and an engineering background is recommended to take this course.

In the effort to support emerging talents and enhance the international character of our events, IFHTSE has invited four researchers under 35 to participate free, including travel expenses, at the IFHTSE World Congress in Cologne, October 13-15, 2026.The candidates selected by the Executive Committee include: Nur Suraya Binti Amad Mazni. The Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. Lucas Carrillo. Colorado School of Mines, U.S. Asma Teghri. University of Padua, Italy. Mitchell Shields.

Furnaces used to melt metals at high temperatures are an essential tool of many high-tech sectors. Retech has been meeting that industrial challenge for more than 60 years. “We have several different types of furnaces that are used to melt down high-temperature metals and alloys such as titanium, nickel, tantalum, and niobium,” said Earl Good, president of Retech. “These are some of the big ones in today’s market. The furnaces are used to melt the metals down and produce different output forms.

arburizing-quenching is a thermochemical surface treatment designed to harden the surface of steels and make them more resistant to friction, wear, and corrosion. It involves the diffusion of carbon atoms at high temperature, followed by rapid cooling to induce a phase transformation from austenite to martensite.

What are your roles at Tormach? Amanda Lucas: I’m a technical writer. I create and maintain all of the customer-facing instructional material like operator manuals, installation guides, release notes, and then the safety labeling that’s on the product. A big part of my role is to take the complex or technical procedures and write them in a way that’s clear and understandable to everyone. Kimberly Upton: I work in our supply chain, and i have a degree in industrial engineering.

What are your roles at Tormach? Amanda Lucas: I’m a technical writer. I create and maintain all of the customer-facing instructional material like operator manuals, installation guides, release notes, and then the safety labeling that’s on the product. A big part of my role is to take the complex or technical procedures and write them in a way that’s clear and understandable to everyone. Kimberly Upton: I work in our supply chain, and i have a degree in industrial engineering.

Powder metallurgy has become a crucial part of manufacturing in the thermal processing industry, not just in North America, but across the globe. That’s why it’s vitally important that workers in this field have the opportunity to gather in one place to discuss the latest trends and innovations in the powder metallurgical sector. For years, the WorldPM conference has provided this service to the industry, and for the first time in six years, WorldPM will be in North America.