A process for the energy efficient heat treatment of steels wherein a steel workpiece is rapidly heated to a temperature above the A3 temperature of the steel to convert the steel to austenite, the workpiece is then rapidly quenched in a liquid quench medium to convert the austenite to a predominantly martensitic microstructure, and the steel is then tempered by rapid heating while the workpiece is under tension, the tempering serving to convert the steel to a tempered martensitic form. The present invention virtually eliminates the problem of quench cracking and minimizes quench distortion as well as providing a finished product with improved uniformity, improved surface quality, and improved mechanical properties.
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