Foreword

ASM Handbook Volume 4B is the second of five volumes to be published on heat treatment. This significant expansion reflects the considerable economic and engineering importance of steel heat treatment and its varied methods, technologies, and applications. Expanded Handbook coverage of heat treatment also is fitting, given the 1913 origins of ASM International as the Steel Treaters Club, formed by Detroit blacksmith William Park Woodside.

Volume 4B continues from the extensive coverage in Volume 4A, Steel Heat Treating Fundamentals and Processes. This Volume covers the equipment and technological aspects of steel heat treatment. This includes instrumentation for process control and the various operational parameters that influence the effective and economical production of heat treated steel parts.

This Volume, like all Volumes of the ASM Handbook, is written, reviewed, and edited by recognized authorities. Their volunteer efforts give us a standard reference work of peer-consensus information that is authoritative, technically correct, understandable, and reliable. We thank the many volunteers for their contributions that help technically trained persons solve problems and undertake work with confidence. We are especially indebted to editors Jon Dossett, George Totten, Volker Schulze, Thomas Lübben, and Jürgen Hoffmeister.