Heat treatment is a processing technique used for many types of products, modifying the crystalline structure of metal or metal alloys to achieve desired characteristics of hardness, toughness, and malleability. To ensure successful treatment, it is crucial that the treated parts are meticulously cleaned since the presence of contaminants can not only reduce the quality of heat treatment but also damage both the part itself and the machinery used, resulting in significant economic losses for the company.
Different heat treatments have different tolerance thresholds regarding contaminants. While a small presence of contaminants may not cause problems in certain cases, in others, it can lead to carburization or embrittlement of the treated parts.