Heat Treat Capabilities
The rate at which a casting cools affects its microstructure, quality and properties. Generally, castings that cool slowly have a coarse microstructure that lowers the strength of the casting. Castings that cool quickly have a finer microstructure and hence greater strength. Harrison Steel offers three heat treat (cooling) processes, that when combined with specific techniques, enables us to provide the mechanical properties desired by the customer.
Normalize. At Harrison Steel the poured casting is heated to some temperature above its specific upper transformation temperature. For some applications, normalizing may be the final heat treatment. The casting then cools in still air to a temperature below its transformation temperature.
Quench. At Harrison Steel, the poured casting is quenched in a water bath, which brings the temperature down quickly. Quenching is used to secure a finer, stronger microstructure.
Temper. At Harrison Steel, the poured casting is quenched in a water bath to quickly bring down the temperature. It is then reheated, and then quenched again to set the microstructure. The final casting is strong and ductile. Precise control of time and temperature during the tempering process are critical to achieve a casting with well-balanced mechanical properties.
Foundry
Harrison Steel produces molds on a fast-loop molding and compaction system with an automated rollover draw machine. A water-based mold wash is applied using the flow-coating process. The molds are assembled using automated mold closers. The mold is then moved to one of six pouring and cooling lines on a conveyor that holds 192 plates. All Harrison Steel molds include high strength, balanced rigging systems to ensure the safety of our people and the integrity of the final casting.
Harrison Steel operates two molding lines:
Automated Molding Line
- All operations are computer-controlled using the latest process control technology
- Minimum size of 32" x 50", 15.74"/15.74"
- Maximum size of 71" x 96", 36"/36"
- 8 molds per hour
- No-bake, fast loop
- Phenolic urethane
Floor Molding Line
- Molds up to 120" x 120", 52"/52"
- Continuous mixer
- Silica/zircon sand
- Phenolic urethane
Sustainable business practices are important to us. The foundry includes a sophisticated mechanical and thermal sand reclamation system that enables us to reclaim used sand, reuse a high percentage of the sand, and properly dispose of the balance.
Harrison Steel Casting Company is a partner in ENERGY STAR®, an initiative of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to measure, track and improve energy performance.