System and method for annealing alloy steel components

摘要

A system (10) for heat treating an alloy steel component includes a first enclosure (14) and a second enclosure (16) opposed to the first enclosure (14). The first and second enclosures (14, 16) define a chamber (22) around only a portion of the alloy steel component. The system (10) further includes a heating element (42) in the chamber (22) to heat the portion of the alloy steel component. A method for heat treating an alloy steel component includes placing a first enclosure (14) against a first side of the alloy steel component and placing a second enclosure (16) against a second side of the alloy steel component. The method further includes creating a substantially airtight chamber (22) around only a portion of the alloy steel component between the first and second enclosures (14, 16) and heating the portion of the alloy steel component inside the substantially airtight chamber (22).