Heat Treatment Calculator
Select a steel grade and target hardness to get austenitizing, quench medium, and tempering temperature recommendations.
Heat Treatment Parameters
Valid range for 4140: 20–58 HRC
Used to estimate austenitizing hold time
Select a steel grade and target HRC, then click Calculate.
Steel Grade
Achieved HRC
Austenitizing
Temperature range
Hold time (guideline)
Quench
Recommended medium
As-quenched hardness (approx.)
Tempering
Temperature (to reach target HRC)
Temper cycles
Post-Temper Cool
Cooling method
Temper hold time (guideline)
Process Notes
Results are based on ASM Handbook data and are a planning guide only. Always verify against material certifications and adjust for section geometry, furnace uniformity, and application requirements.
Summary
Select a steel grade and target hardness to get austenitizing, quench medium, and tempering temperature recommendations.
How it works
- Steel grades are mapped to their published austenitizing ranges and hardenability data.
- A tempering curve (HRC vs. tempering temperature) is modeled from ASM data for each grade.
- The tool solves the curve in reverse: given a target HRC, it finds the required tempering temperature.
- Quench medium recommendations follow standard metallurgical practice for each grade.
Use cases
- Determine tempering temperature for a desired HRC on 4140 alloy steel.
- Look up austenitizing range for D2 tool steel before hardening.
- Choose between oil and water quench for carbon vs. alloy grades.
- Estimate hold time at austenitizing temperature based on section thickness.
- Compare hardness achievable across common steel grades for a given process.
- Plan a double-temper cycle for H13 hot-work die steel.