Heat Treater
Heat treaters control furnaces and cooling equipment to change the physical properties of metals and metal objects, making them hard, tough, resilient or suitable for machining.
Heat treaters may perform the following tasks:
- load items to be treated into the furnace and bring the metal to a specified temperature
- use either baths of molten salt or furnaces, depending on the metal being treated
- light burners and adjust controls which regulate gas and air
- adjust controls to regulate electric power
- check all gauges and controls during treatment to make sure they are working correctly
- harden metal by heating it to the required temperature (this varies with different metals) and dipping it in oil, water, brine, or other solutions
- temper steel by reheating to a lower temperature than previously to make it tough rather than brittle
- surface harden metal components to improve their thin resistance to wear and abrasion
- use special instruments to test the hardness of treated metals.
Specialisations:
With experience and sometimes further training, it is possible to become a leading hand or supervisor.
Heat treaters often work in hot environments. They may work with blacksmiths and other workers in loading and unloading operations.
Personal Requirements:
- enjoy practical and manual work
- able to work as part of a team
- enjoy working with mechanical equipment.
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