Tooling items, being for the most part, machined items, require individual attention, conscientious handling and artful workmanship, in thermal processing, in order to achieve optimum results. It is for these very reasons that, from our first days of operation, we have opted in favour of molten salt baths for all of our tooling heat treatment processes. No other commercially viable technology has been able to compare favourably to salt baths in terms of thermal efficiency, flexibility, process turnaround, and metallurgical integrity. Listed below are some of the more tangible benefits of neutral salt bath processes.

ABSENCE OF SCALE

Because of the neutrality of the salts (absence of oxygen), very little oxidation takes place during treatment, therefore practically eliminating, decarburization and scale. This neutral condition also protects the work from accidental carburization.

UNIFORM HARDNESS & MINIMIZED DISTORTION

Due to the high conductivity rate of the salts, temperatures throughout the salt baths are more consistent than other types of ovens (+/- 5 degrees F. tolerance at temperatures exceeding 2000 degrees F.). These tolerances assure a more uniform hardness and minimum distortion throughout the parts being treated.

HIGHER RATE OF TURNOVER

Because of the open-pit design of our salt baths, we can start processing tools as soon as they come in, instead of waiting to accumulate and justify a commercially viable batch. In a salt bath line, work is perpetually in motion, we use separate ovens for preheating stages thus reducing recovery times and consequently turn-around delays. Because of the flexibility offered by the possibility of mixing and matching different available ovens at various temperatures, we also more precisely tailor the process to the specific item, as minute as it may be! For this reason, we are also better able to follow steel manufacturers specific protocols -to the letter, thus insuring superior predictability. All of these particularities combined, enable us to receive, qualify, conceive and execute the full process, and finally, carefully inspect the work within 24 to 36 hours, including certificates, if desired - WITHOUT CUTTING CORNERS - Our commitment to quality has made that absolutely Vital.

REDUCED RISK OF THERMAL CRACKS

Salt baths transfer heat rapidly and uniformly to steel parts through conduction and not radiation. The molten salts freeze on the cold metal upon immersion - this layer of salt enveloping the metals, provides insulation until it’s temperature exceeds the melting point of the salt (bear in mind that salt is an excellent conductor of heat - but only in the liquid state – in the solid or frozen state, it is an equally efficient insulator). Thermal shock is therefore less severe, reducing thermal stresses and subsequently, the risk of thermal cracks.

REDUCED DISTORTION

All parts are suspended in a salt bath, and are secured in a way that best suits the design of the part being treated.  A most popular example is the treatment of long slender shapes, which must, at all cost, be heated, quenched and tempered in  a vertical position in order to minimize distortion.