Teräskäsittely

Teräskäsittely refers to a range of processes used to alter the physical and sometimes chemical properties of steel. These treatments are crucial for enhancing steel's performance in various applications, such as improving hardness, strength, toughness, ductility, and resistance to wear and corrosion.

One common method is heat treatment, which involves heating steel to specific temperatures and then cooling it in a controlled manner. Annealing softens the steel, making it easier to work with, while quenching hardens it. Tempering is often performed after quenching to reduce brittleness and increase toughness. Normalizing refines the grain structure, leading to more uniform properties.

Surface treatments are another important category. Case hardening, such as carburizing or nitriding, creates a hard outer layer on the steel while keeping the core relatively soft and ductile. This is beneficial for components subjected to wear. Other surface treatments include shot peening, which induces compressive stresses to improve fatigue life, and coating processes for corrosion protection.

Mechanical treatments also play a role. Cold working processes like rolling, drawing, and forging can significantly increase the strength and hardness of steel through strain hardening. These various teräskäsittely methods allow engineers to tailor steel's properties to meet the demanding requirements of diverse industries, from automotive and aerospace to construction and manufacturing.