Heat Treatment Calculator
Estimate austenitizing temperatures, preheat stages, soaking times, and tempering cycles for 1045, 4140, 4340, D2, and H13 based on target HRC and section thickness.
Use the Heat Treatment Calculator
Heat Treatment Parameters
Select a grade, target HRC, and thickness, then click Calculate.
Steel Grade & Basis
Target Hardness
Estimated reference
Preheat / Equalization
Stage recommendation
Austenitizing
Temperature guideline
Soak after through-heating
Quench Hardening
Recommended medium
As-quenched reference
Tempering
Interpolated temperature
Technical Guidance & Caveats
Primary Source Reference:
Notice: Values represent published baseline datasheets and do not constitute a guaranteed heat treatment recipe or qualification certificate. Section thickness, furnace mass, quenchant velocity, prior microstructure, and alloy composition directly influence final results.
Summary
Estimate austenitizing temperatures, preheat stages, soaking times, and tempering cycles for 1045, 4140, 4340, D2, and H13 based on target HRC and section thickness.
How it works
- Inverse piecewise linear interpolation estimates tempering temperature from representative hardness curves.
- Soaking duration is determined by grade-specific producer rules, distinguishing equalization from metallurgical hold.
- Tempering hold time scales by cross-section thickness using established 1 hour per 25 mm baselines or alloy cycle minima.
Use cases
- Estimate required tempering temperature to reach a target HRC on 4140 alloy steel.
- Calculate section-thickness-adjusted soaking and temper hold durations for engineering parts.
- Review producer-recommended multi-stage preheating and repeated tempering for H13- and D2-equivalent tool steels.
- Evaluate quench severity and cooling medium recommendations between carbon and high-hardenability grades.