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Solution Treatment

Solution treatment is the heating of a material to temperatures sufficient for the dissolution of its soluble phases, and then held for a period before quenching, causing the material to retain the properties of the solution.

Rapid cooling for strong results.

Solution treatment is a heat treating process that heats alloys to a specific temperature, sustaining that temperature long enough to cause one or more constituents to enter into a solid solution and then rapidly cooled to maintain the solution’s properties. Annealing is a commonly used type of solution treatment, sometimes referred to as solution annealing.

The Right Procedure for the Right Materials.

Solution treatment procedures vary depending on the material being treated. The main variance stems from the temperature the material is heated to and the rate at which it is quenched.

While common alloys including iron, nickel, cobalt and aluminum usually undergo some sort of solution treatment prior to manufacturing, other materials such as stainless steel requires vacuum furnaces for solution treatment because they remove gases from the atmosphere, which in turn prevents oxidation. Precipitation hardening is a common next step in the heat treating process, following an anneal and a quench.

Finding the Perfect Solution for Your Project.

There are many variances to address with solution treating. The main differences concern the temperature to which the material is heated, the amount of time it’s held at that temperature and the rate at which the material is cooled. All of these factors will vary based on the material that’s involved, so it’s important to choose an experienced heat treating partner you can rely on.

We have invested in state-of-the-art computers and equipment to ensure precise, consistent results for your next project.

  • Multiple thermocouples to ensure uniform temperatures across entire lots
  • Computer-controlled heating rates, soak temperatures, times and cooling rates
  • One-cycle solution treat and age, decreasing handling time and improving turnaround
  • Fast cooling in high-pressure quenching vacuum furnaces to maintain desired microstructures
  • Vacuum furnace design to eliminate oxidation, alloy depletion, carbon pickup and surface contamination
  • Specialized fixturing to eliminate eutectic melting, surface contamination, distortion and recrystallization

Find the Right Solution.

We’re ready to help you find the right solution treatment for your project. Contact us today to request a quote or learn more.

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Solution Treating FAQs

Do I have to solution treat my parts? +

Not always. Many precipitation-hardenable stainless steels like 17-4, 17-5, and 15-5 are supplied pre-solution treated in Condition A. These materials only need age hardening (like H900 or H1025 treatments). However, if parts undergo significant hot working, welding, or you’re starting with annealed material, solution treating is required before age hardening.

What is solution heat treating? +

Solution treating heats precipitation-hardenable alloys to dissolve alloying elements into a uniform solid solution, followed by rapid cooling to maintain this supersaturated state. This process prepares materials like stainless steels (17-4, 15-5) and nickel alloys (Inconel 718) for subsequent age hardening, which develops their final strength and hardness properties.

What other names are used for solution treating? +

Solution treating is also called solution annealing or solutionizing—all three terms describe the same process. The terminology varies by industry and region, but the metallurgical result is identical: creating a supersaturated solid solution ready for age hardening.

What temperature is used for solution treating? +

Temperature depends entirely on the alloy. Stainless grades like 17-4 typically solution treat around 1900°F, while Inconel 718 requires approximately 1750-1950°F. Aluminum alloys use much lower temperatures, around 900-1000°F. The specific temperature must dissolve precipitates without causing grain growth or incipient melting.

What's the difference between solution and precipitation heat treatment? +

They’re complementary steps in strengthening certain alloys. Solution treating (first step) dissolves alloying elements at high temperature, creating a supersaturated solution. Precipitation treating/age hardening (second step) uses lower temperatures to precipitate these elements as fine particles, creating the material’s final strength. Think of it as dissolving sugar in hot water (solution) then crystallizing it out (precipitation).

What's the difference between solution treating and annealing? +

The biggest difference is the cooling rate; solution annealing involves cooling at a faster rate (quenching) to keep the precipitates in the supersaturated state before precipitation hardening. Annealing usually involves slow cooling. Solution treating specifically prepares precipitation-hardenable alloys for age hardening by dissolving precipitates. Standard annealing uses slow cooling to soften materials by relieving stresses and recrystallizing the grain structure. Only specific alloys can be solution treated, while most metals can be annealed.

Which materials require solution treating? +

Precipitation-hardenable alloys including stainless steels (17-4PH, 15-5PH, 13-8Mo), nickel alloys (such as Inconel 718), and aluminum alloys require solution treating before age hardening. Materials supplied in Condition A have been pre-solution treated. Always verify your material’s condition with your supplier to avoid unnecessary processing.
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