Surface Heat Treatment
VHT and Cryogenic
Vacuum Heat Treatment
Read More
Surface Heat Treatment for Tool Steel
Heat Treatment — Imparting Soul to Steel
Complete heat treatment for tool steel — precision vacuum hardening, cryogenic treatment, and stress relieving for tool steels and special steels, delivered as complete heat treatment services by globally trained engineers from our state-of-the-art facility near Mumbai, India.
At voestalpine HPM India, we provide complete heat treatment services for tool steels, plastic mould steels, and special steels across a wide range of industrial applications. Our engineers are trained both in India and at voestalpine’s global centres of excellence, ensuring world-class process knowledge at every step — including specialised vacuum heat treatment services and cryogenic treatment capabilities.
We deliver heat treatment as an integrated package alongside steel supply — giving customers a single-source solution with full technical and logistics support. All equipment and processes are periodically validated and calibrated to meet international standards.
OUR SERVICES
- ✓ Vacuum Heat Treatment
- ✓ Cryogenic Treatment
- ✓ Stress Relieving
Vacuum Heat Treatment
High-Pressure Vacuum Hardening for Tool Steel
Our vacuum heat treatment (VHT) process uses high-pressure vacuum hardening technology to expose tool steel to precisely controlled time-temperature cycles in a fully inert atmosphere. The result is a clean, oxide-free surface with superior mechanical properties — no decarburisation, no scale, minimal distortion.
KEY BENEFITS
- ✓ Higher material strength & hardness uniformity
- ✓ Superior wear resistance for extended tool life
- ✓ Improved corrosion behaviour of components
- ✓ Bright, clean surface finish — no post-cleaning needed
- ✓ Minimal distortion — critical for precision mould components
Cryogenic Treatment
Deep Sub-Zero Treatment for Maximum Tool Life
Unlike conventional surface treatments, our cryogenic treatment process acts on the entire mass of the tool or component — not just its surface. By cooling components to approximately −196°C, the process converts retained austenite to martensite and refines carbide distribution, creating a more uniform, wear-resistant microstructure throughout the material cross-section.
As a specialised cryogenic treatment supplier, this makes our process especially effective for cutting tools, die inserts, and plastic mould components where consistent performance across the full component volume is critical.
KEY BENEFITS
- ✓ Treatment affects the entire component volume — not just surface
- ✓ Converts retained austenite, improving hardness consistency
- ✓ Significant improvement in abrasive wear resistance
- ✓ Extended tool life — fewer replacements, lower cost-per-part
- ✓ Compatible with subsequent PVD coating (Duplex Treatment)
Stress Relieving
Removing Machining-Induced Residual Stress
Stress relieving is a controlled heating process designed to eliminate the internal stresses introduced during rough machining. Without this step, residual stresses remain locked in the material and cause dimensional distortion during subsequent hardening or finish machining — compromising mould accuracy and part quality.
For best results, stress relieving should be performed twice: once after rough machining, and again before semi-finish machining. This two-stage approach ensures maximum dimensional stability and consistency throughout the entire mould manufacturing cycle.
KEY BENEFITS
- ✓ Prevents dimensional distortion in precision moulds
- ✓ Eliminates risk of cracking during hardening
- ✓ Improves machinability and surface finish quality
- ✓ Recommended twice for maximum benefit
Why Choose voestalpine HPM India for Heat Treatment Services?
Choosing the right heat treatment partner is as important as choosing the right steel grade. Here’s what sets us apart.
Steel + Heat Treatment as One Package
We deliver steel and heat treatment as an integrated solution. This means optimal steel selection for the specific heat treatment cycle, reducing distortion risk and ensuring the best possible tool life outcome.
Global Standards, Local Expertise
Our engineers are trained both in India and at voestalpine centres globally. We apply international heat treatment standards to every batch — ensuring consistent, predictable results.
Validated & Calibrated Equipment
All furnaces and process equipment are periodically validated and calibrated. Temperature uniformity surveys and process audits ensure every treatment meets specification — every time.
Pan-India Technical Support
Our technical sales and application engineers provide on-site support, tool life analysis, and process recommendations — from Mumbai to all major manufacturing hubs across India.
Application-Specific Recommendations
The right heat treatment depends on your application. We provide expert guidance on which process — VHT, cryogenic, or stress relieving — delivers the optimum result for your specific tool steel grade and end-use.
Part of the voestalpine Group
Access to global R&D, proprietary steel grades, and heat treatment expertise developed over decades across the HPM Division worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Heat Treatment Services
Technical questions about our heat treatment services answered by our metallurgists.
1. What is vacuum heat treatment for tool steel?
Vacuum heat treatment is a controlled thermal process carried out in a vacuum furnace to harden tool steel while preventing oxidation, decarburization, and surface contamination. This process improves hardness, wear resistance, dimensional stability, and overall tool performance. It is widely used for high-performance tool steels in applications such as die casting, forging, plastic moulding, and precision machining.
2. What is cryogenic treatment and when should it be used?
Cryogenic treatment is a supplementary process performed after heat treatment, where tool steel is cooled to extremely low temperatures to transform retained austenite into martensite. This improves hardness, wear resistance, dimensional stability, and tool life. It is commonly recommended for cutting tools, dies, punches, moulds, and other high-precision components that require maximum durability and consistent performance.
3. Why is stress relieving important before finish machining?
Stress relieving reduces the internal stresses developed during forging, machining, or previous heat treatment processes. Performing stress relieving before finish machining minimizes distortion, improves dimensional accuracy, and reduces the risk of cracking during subsequent heat treatment. This helps manufacturers achieve tighter tolerances and better component quality.
4. What steels do you heat treat?
voestalpine provides heat treatment services for a wide range of premium steels, including hot work tool steels, cold work tool steels, plastic mould steels, high-speed steels, powder metallurgy steels, stainless steels, and selected special alloys. Our metallurgical experts recommend the appropriate heat treatment cycle based on the steel grade, application, and required mechanical properties.
5. Where is the heat treatment facility located?
voestalpine High Performance Metals India operates advanced heat treatment facilities equipped with modern vacuum furnaces and quality control systems. To find the nearest facility or discuss your project requirements, you can contact our technical team, who will guide you to the most suitable service location based on your region and application.
6. Can heat treatment and steel supply be ordered as a combined package?
Yes. voestalpine offers an integrated solution where customers can source premium tool steel along with professional heat treatment services as a single package. This ensures material compatibility, consistent quality, optimized performance, and reduced lead times while simplifying procurement and project management.
Complementary Services
Surface Engineering
Surface engineering treatment of PVD coating, Duplex Treatment, ABP and Polishing to enhance the performance and life of your tool steel.
Metallurgical Laboratory
Our Metallurgical Laboratory team supports you with on failure analysis by carrying out detailed field failure investigations, there by suggesting corrective actions based on Evidence-Based Approach.
Additive Manufacturing
AM delivers shorter lead times, lower weight, and shapes once impossible to produce. After digital design as a 3D CAD model, even the most complex structures can be printed using metal powder engineered to meet your application’s requirements.
Contact Our Heat Treatment Experts
Tell us about your tool steel application, and our metallurgists will recommend the right heat treatment process and parameters for maximum tool life.
Phone: +91 75060 08780
Email: office.india@voestalpine.com
Corporate Office: 303/304, Shelton Cubix, Plot No. 87, Sector 15, CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai 400 614, India.
It’s very important to have the right heat treatment done based on application, for achieving optimum tool life from good tool steel. We follow global standards for our heat treatment process; our engineers are well trained in India and abroad. We heat treat Tool steels and Special steels for variety application.
All our equipment and process are periodically validated and calibrated. We deliver as package of steel tool and heat treatment with the right tooling solution. We render good technical and logistics support to customers for tool life improvement.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION: