Stainless Steel Processing

Cincinnati Steel Treating (CST) has a broad depth of experience heat treating various stainless steels including 17-4 PH, 17-7 PH, 330, 304, 420, and many other grades. We know the quality specifications and requirements involved in heat treating stainless steel, and we can help you with your stainless steel processing needs. Consult with one of CST’s experts today.

The most common heat treatment of stainless steel involves a solution treat followed by an age. The solution is usually a soak at a very high temperature (1850°F and higher) followed by a quench of some kind. The quench could be either an air, oil, or water quench, and the effect is to lock the preciptates in place for the aging operation. The age is usually carried out in a certified furnace that heats the stainless steel part to an aging temperature (900°F is a common temperature) for a specified length of time, depending upon the specification and the grade. Aging occurs when the heat from the furnace catalyzes the precipitation of alloy to increase the hardness of the stainless steel part. CST can perform both the solution and the age. The temperatures of the solution and the age will depend upon the grade of stainless steel being heat treated. Other heat treatments can be performed on stainless steels including the more conventional quench and tempering operation. Martensitic stainless steels in particular can be treated in this way.

Trust your Stainless Steel Processing Needs to our Experts

Stainless Steel Processing Capabilities

CNC milled parts isolated on white Cincinnati Steel Treating (CST) has a collection of furnaces that are capable of performing solution treating, aging, and heating for traditional quench and tempering. CST has deep pit furnaces that can be used to heat treat long, thin stainless steel parts. CST can perform straightening operations on long and narrow stainless steel pieces using one of two straightening presses. CST regularly maintains a straightness tolerance on round bars of 0.010″ TIR. CST is the industry leader in performing heat treating and straightening of long stainless steel parts.

CST’s furnaces are capable of heating up to 1850°F. They can heat up and cool down at specified rates, and loads can be monitored with theromocouples attached to the part. Such data can be included with the certification. CST has multiple oil quench tanks that can quench sizes varying from a handful of bolts that weigh one pound up to a shaft that weighs close to 2,000 pounds. CST can heat treat long narrow parts up to 17″ in diameter and up to 120″ long.

CST performs aging treatments on precipiation hardening grades to bring them into one of the following conditions: H900, H925, H950, H1025, H1050, H1100, H1125, and H1150M conditions. CST also regularly performs an intermediate temperature age to create a condtion called a TH. CST performs suz-zero treatments on stainless steels, and we regularly solution anneal or stress relieve grades such as 303, 3041, 304L, 316, 316L, and 321 grades.

Stainless Steel Applications

Cincinnati Steel Treating (CST) has heat treated stainless steel parts for a wide variety of applications. These include bed plates for food processing machines, blades for meat grinders, piston rods for drilling rigs that operate in a very corrosive environment, and stress relief on stainless steel fabrications. CST is familiar with all of the different quality specifications that are used in the various industries that utilize stainless steel in their components. Consult with one of metallurgists today to allow them to assist you.

Ready to Start Your Project?

Cincinnati Steel Reviews

'The Quality Group at CST is very responsive and always willing to accommodate request to give the necessary information for our customers.'

Garrett Ford

Cincinnati Gearing Systems

'Midstate Machine has been doing business with Cincinnati Steel Treating Company for several years. The professionalism and attention to detail exhibited by Cincinnati Steel is of the highest caliber! We rely heavily on our outside vendors to expedite time sensitive materials and they are always happy to accommodate us. The pricing is fair, and our Certifications are always delivered on time. Cincinnati Steel Treating Company is overall a fantastic company to do business with!.'

Lindsey Barrett

McSwain Mfg. - Midstate Machine

'Cincinnati Steel Treating has been a preferred supplier to Ariel for many years. They are able to meet our production needs at a high quality level. We look forward to continuing this partnership well into the future. Thanks for being someone we can count on.'

Kevin Spencer

Ariel Corporation

Bring Us Your Stainless Steel Processing Challenges

For over 80 years, we’ve helped our clients across many industries improve production time and parts performance, quickly and efficiently. Turnaround times are fast and quality control is precise. As your outsourcing partner, we provide solutions to take your results to the next level.

Get Your Quote Started Today