Purpose This standard specifies requirements for the qualification of suppliers of heat treatment services used in the manufacture of equipment for the petroleum and natural gas industries. Applicability This standard is applicable to suppliers providing heat treatment services where API product standards require such services or otherwise specified as a requirement for conformance. The requirements of this standard apply to batch heat treatment operations that establish or affect the final mechanical properties and include stress relief operations. This standard applies to carbon steel@ low-alloy steel@ stainless steel@ and nickel-base alloys. Case hardening@ induction hardening@ and flame hardening are not covered by this standard. Heat Treatment Specification Levels (HSLs) This standard establishes the requirements for three heat treatment specification levels (HSLs). These HSL designations define different levels of heat treatment technical@ quality@ and qualification requirements.