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Heat Treaters control heat-treating furnaces and cooling equipment to change the physical and/or chemical properties of metal objects. They use a variety of methods including hardening, tempering, annealing, case hardening and normalizing. They perform their work using standard heat-treating charts and their knowledge of heat-treating methods, equipment and properties of metals.

Job Duties 

Heat Treaters may:

Select temperature and length of heating cycles

Select type and temperature of cooling baths

Start, control, and shut down furnaces

Load and unload furnaces

Cool heat-treated parts in cooling baths

Test properties of heat-treated parts

Set up and operate die-cooling machines to prevent parts from warping during cooling

Align warped parts using a hydraulic arm straightener

Tools and equipment used may include:

Materials may include parts made of:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Heat Treaters may specialize in a particular function:

504.382-014 HEAT TREATERS control heat-treating furnaces and cooling equipment to change the physical and/or chemical properties of metal objects. They perform their work using standard heat-treating charts and their knowledge of heat-treating methods and properties of metals.

504.682-010 ANNEALERS control furnaces to relieve internal stresses in metal objects and to soften and refine grain structure to make the objects less brittle.

504.685-014 FLAME-HARDENING-MACHINE OPERATORS tend machines to case harden (heat treat) metal objects by fastening the part in a fixture that rotates it and by directing the flame against the metal part using an automatic feed mechanism.

504.682-026 TEMPERERS control furnaces to reheat previously cooled and hardened metal. The metal is then cooled in brine, water, oil, molten lead baths, or ambient or forced air to remove cooling strains and brittleness and to impart toughness to metals.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Heat Treaters work indoors under minimum supervision. Furnaces and other heat-treating equipment may cause areas of work to be uncomfortably hot in the summer. Ventilation may cause cold drafts in the winter.

The equipment used by Heat Treaters should be operated carefully to avoid damaging the equipment and the materials being heat treated. Serious injuries are avoided through the use of warning lights, ventilation systems, and protective clothing.

The normal workweek for Heat Treaters is 40 hours. Many firms operate 24 hours a day, with three separate shifts.

In general, Heat Treaters belong to the same industrial unions that represent other production workers where they work. Union members must pay monthly dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Activities dealing with things and objects

• Activities which involve the use of processes or methods

• Activities of a routine, definite, organized nature

You Should Be Able To:

• Work with precise limits or standards of accuracy

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

• Repeat activities or tasks of short duration

• See detail in objects

• Recognize slight differences in shapes or shadings

• Coordinate the use of your eyes and hands rapidly and accurately

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

Calculate the work done by expanding 1kg of steam from a pressure of 0.2 MPa at a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius to a pressure of 0.1 MPa. Assume the process is adiabatic and reversible.

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

If the heat pipe has been partially assemble prior to outgassing, and the end caps fitted, it is necessary to make sure that no welds leak, as these could produce misleading results as to outgassing rate.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

Prepare an order form for a supply of heat treating chemicals.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

Should be able to demonstrate analytical skills and be detail oriented in controlling heat treating furnaces and testing properties of heat treated parts.

EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 2200 MATH , 2300 METALS , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAM***

049 MACHINE TOOL OPERATION/SHOP

Approved vocational education programs in Machine Tool Operation and Machine Shop prepare students to shape metal parts on machines such as lathes, grinders, drill presses, milling machines, and shapers. Programs may also train individuals in the use of one machine. Instruction is given in calculating dimensions; using precision measuring instruments such as layout tools, micrometers, and gages; machining and heat-treating various metals; and in laying out machine parts.

Courses in other trade and industrial programs may be required for completion of this program.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

A limited number of apprenticeship programs in this occupation area available in Michigan, they are limited in number. See the Sources Of More Information below for name, address and phone number of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

You will also find a more extensive list of information sources in the "What Is An Apprenticeship?" document found under the MOIS Supports Menu Items.

***MILITARY TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES***

Please check Military website at (http://www.myfuture.com)

E-Learning Courses and Programs

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

To gain experience in this field, individuals may work during the summer in a foundry, forge shop, or manufacturing plant. Employers may hire part-time help, although full-time work is usual. Secondary vocational education programs in machine tool operation and shop may offer co-op opportunities for practical experience.

                School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Heat Treater employer

internships

volunteer work with a Heat Treater employer

community service work with an agency

The most common method of becoming a Heat Treater is through direct application to employers. Assistance in finding a job may be obtained from high school placement offices, local offices of the Michigan Works!, newspaper want ads, and local unions. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Works!

Classifieds Employment

Yahoo! Careers

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

Earnings of Heat Treaters depend upon the size of the employer, the extent of unionization, and the individual's experience. The pay of Heat Treaters may be based on some form of wage incentive. Many companies may close down for re-tooling and this "downtime" must be considered when figuring overall yearly income.

Nationally, the median weekly earnings of Heat Treaters were $419 per week or about $10.48 per hour in 2000.

In the automotive industry, the base hourly wage rates of most production Heat Treaters ranged from about $25.61 to $26.12 in mid 2001. These workers also received a cost-of-living allowance.

Beginning Heat Treaters usually start at a rate of pay that is about 40% to 50% of a skilled Heat Treater's wage. Heat Treaters usually receive time and a half or double pay for overtime work. Those who work the evening or night shift may receive additional pay.

Depending on the employer, most Heat Treater's receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, and hospitalization insurance; sick leave; and pension plans. Some may also receive dental and optical benefits. These benefits are usually paid for, at least in part, by the employer.

Heat Treaters usually learn their work through on-the-job training. Advancement depends on ability, training, seniority, and experience. Large companies offer the best chances to be promoted to heat-treat inspector or supervisory positions.

EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, about 23,300 Heat Treaters were employed in 1998. Employment of Heat Treaters is expected to decline through the year 2008. A few openings will occur each year as workers retire, transfer to other types of work, or leave the occupation for other reasons. The industry distribution for Heat Treaters looked like this:

The employment outlook for Heat Treaters changes as the overall employment in metal manufacturing changes. The employment market for Heat Treaters will be tight and competitive through the rest of the decade.

There are approximately 1,400 Heat Treaters employed in Michigan. They all worked in the manufacturing industry.

In Michigan, it is expected that employment of Heat Treaters will grow more slowly than the average for all occupations through the year 2006. An average of 50 openings is expected annually with 10 due to growth and 40 due to replacement of workers who retire or leave the labor force for other reasons. Additional openings will occur as workers change jobs or occupations. New developments in manufacturing are improving output and affecting employment. There is a trend in the aluminum and steel industries toward using automatic controls for heat treating furnaces. In addition, larger furnaces and continuous heat treating facilities are improving productivity and reducing the demand for Heat Treaters and Annealers.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2006

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed occupational information is available upon written request from the below:

SUMMARY PROFILE

The occupation of Heat Treater can be summarized by the following:

MOISCRIPTS are Copyright 2003, Michigan Department of Career Development