The NF A02-053 standard constitutes an evaluation reference system which is integrated into the quality system of a heat treatment workshop. Developed on the basis of Cetim's RQP1 recommendation, this standard was developed in collaboration with clients and suppliers mainly from the automotive sector.
The criteria addressed by the standard cover the entire heat treatment process, from pre-treatment to the inspection of finished parts. The requirements and recommendations on transversal (organization, management, quality management, etc.) and technical (temperature and thermal cycle, salt baths, cooling, finishing, etc.) aspects are identified and rated. The result makes it possible to give a complete evaluation of the heat treatment workshop and to identify the corrective actions.
The appendices give recommendations on the level of precision required and the maintenance of the measuring means, and examples of scoring grid.
This new standard offers a less costly alternative than the American standard while providing relevant quality objectives. France will soon propose to the ISO / TC 244 "Industrial furnaces and associated equipment" Technical Committee to adopt this French standard internationally.
The NF A02-053 standard is available in PDF and HTML formats on this page.