---
type: "WebPage"
title: "Analysis of hardened heat treatment on steel in the laboratory"
description: "As an industrial company, you would like to carry out an analysis of hardened heat treatment on steel What is tempered heat treatment? Quenched heat treatment is a surface treatment used in many industrial sectors that modifies the metallurgical structure..."
resource: "https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/analysis-of-hardened-heat-treatment-on-steel-in-the-laboratory/"
tags: ["EN", "pll_66470fb2daa87"]
timestamp: "2025-12-31T08:33:50Z"
published: "2024-08-29T12:43:55Z"
language: "en"
author: "bwa"
---

# Analysis of hardened heat treatment on steel in the laboratory

## As an industrial company, you would like to carry out an analysis of hardened heat treatment on steel

### What is tempered heat treatment?

Quenched heat treatment is a [surface treatment](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/laboratory-analysis-expertise-surface-treatment.md) used in many industrial sectors that modifies the metallurgical structure of steel to improve its mechanical properties such as[hardness](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/hardness-analysis-and-measurement-laboratory.md),[wear](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/laboratory-surface-characterization/surface-wear-analysis-laboratory.md) resistance and toughness.

### The hardened heat treatment technique

Quenched heat treatment involves heating the steel to a temperature above its transformation point (generally between 800 and 950°C) in order to form an austenitic phase. The steel is then rapidly cooled (quenched) in an appropriate quenching medium (water, oil or polymer), transforming the austenite into martensite, a very hard but often brittle structure.

 ![traitement thermique](https://filab.fr/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/traitement-thermique-1024x819.png)
### Why harden steel?

There are many benefits to hardened heat treatment:

- **Improved hardness and wear resistance:** Heat treatment significantly increases the hardness of the [steel](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/laboratory-of-analysis-and-expertise-of-steels.md) surface, making it more resistant to wear.
- **Increased mechanical strength:** Martensitic transformation increases tensile and compressive strength.
- **Customised mechanical properties:** By adjusting the quenching and tempering parameters, it is possible to modulate the mechanical properties to meet specific requirements.

### What are the risks associated with hardening steel?

1. **[Cracks](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures/fissure-analysis-laboratory.md) and defects:** Cooling too quickly can cause internal or surface cracks, compromising the integrity of the part.
2. **Distortion and deformation:** Thermal stresses can cause distortion, necessitating costly grinding operations.
3. **Insufficient hardness:** If the process is not properly controlled, the hardness obtained may be lower than expected, reducing the performance of the part.
4. **Fragility:** Untempered martensite can be very hard but brittle, which can cause problems in applications where toughness is critical.

## The FILAB laboratory can help you analyse hardened heat treatment on steel

### Pourquoi choisir FILAB ?

The FILAB laboratory has established itself as a benchmark in the field of **metallurgical analysis**thanks to its in-depth expertise and state-of-the-art equipment.

Specialising in the analysis of metals and alloys, FILAB offers a range of services: [chemical analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/chemical-analysis-laboratory.md), [mechanical testing](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test.md) and [failure analysis](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/laboratory-analysis-failures.md). This expertise enables the laboratory to meet the specific needs of demanding sectors such as aerospace, automotive and medical.

FILAB maintains a high level of quality and precision in its procedures, certified by international accreditations, reinforcing its credibility and reliability in metallurgical analysis.

Filab performs [stainless steel analysis according to ISO 3651-1](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-analysis-services/metallurgical-analysis-laboratory/stainless-steel-analysis-iso-3651-1.md)

### Our technical resources

**[Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/laboratory-analysis-sem-scanning-electron-microscopy.md):** To examine the microstructure of the steel and detect any defects or inclusions.

**[X-ray diffraction (XRD)](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/x-ray-crystallography-laboratory-xrd.md):** To identify the metallurgical phases present and confirm martensitic transformation.

**[Hardness tests](https://filab.fr/en/our-services/our-expertise-services/mechanical-laboratory-test/hardness-analysis-and-measurement-laboratory.md):** To measure the hardness of the surface and core of the treated part.

**[Differential thermal analysis (DTA)](https://filab.fr/en/our-technical-resources/differential-thermal-analysis-dta-in-the-laboratory.md):** To check critical temperatures and phase transformations.