Industry
Heat treatment and surface treatment quality
Heat treatment and surface treatment are special processes: the result cannot be fully verified by inspecting the part. Control of the process is essential.
01Special processes need process control
Hardening, tempering, case hardening, nitriding, induction hardening and stress relieving determine mechanical properties that are only partly measurable on finished parts. Galvanizing, electroplating, anodising and painting determine corrosion resistance that becomes visible only years later.
These processes are often outsourced by the main supplier to sub-suppliers. QUALITAS TR audits heat treaters and surface treatment shops, verifies process control (furnace surveys, thermocouple calibration, bath analyses) and inspects results.
02Typical quality risks we see
- Furnace temperature uniformity not verified
- Wrong hardness or case depth
- Distortion and cracking
- Hydrogen embrittlement after plating
- Insufficient coating thickness
- Poor adhesion from inadequate pre-treatment
- Outsourced processes not controlled by the main supplier
03How QUALITAS TR supports heat treatment and surface treatment buyers
| Service | What we do in this sector |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing and Special Process Audits | Special process audits of heat treatment and coating lines. |
| Coating, Painting and Galvanizing Inspection | Surface preparation, coating and galvanizing inspection. |
| Laboratory Testing Coordination | Hardness traverse, case depth and microstructure testing. |
| Material Verification and Certificate Review | Hardness checks and property verification. |
04Key inspection points
- Furnace survey and instrument calibration
- Heat treatment charts against procedure
- Load configuration
- Hardness and case depth
- Microstructure where required
- Coating thickness
- Adhesion and appearance
- Hydrogen embrittlement relief
05Standards and requirements
Automotive heat treatment is commonly assessed with the AIAG CQI-9 special process assessment and coatings with CQI-12. Galvanizing follows ISO 1461 and paint systems ISO 12944.
06The sector in Turkey
Heat treatment and coating service providers are clustered close to their customers in the main industrial cities. Many machining and fabrication suppliers rely on them as sub-suppliers.