Address Heat Treating of Steel (Classic Reprint)

Learn how heat changes steel—from soft, ductile ferrite to hard, brittle carbide—so you can predict and control performance in real-world work.

This edition explains, in clear terms, how microscopic crystals form and how carbon content shapes the steel’s grains. It covers the practical steps of heating, quenching, and tempering, with guidance you can apply in forge, shop, or foundry. The goal is to help you understand why different heat treatments produce different balances of hardness, strength, and machinability.

• Different crystal types (ferrite, pearlite, cementite) and what they mean for strength and ductility
• How carbon content drives grain structure and the transitions between steel, high-carbon steel, and cast iron
• How to locate change points and use color, time, or simple tools to dial in the right heat treatment
• Practical heat-treat approaches for machining, forgings, and castings, including when to anneal or temper