Heat treatment is used in many industries to alter the physical or chemical characteristics of metals or other substances by rapidly heating and cooling them. This is done to increase the metal’s hardness, strength, or ductility, but it may also be used to eliminate residual stress and boost wear resistance. Heat treatment-based processes include brazing, tempering, annealing, case hardening, normalizing, and sintering. All these processes are done using a heat treatment furnace.
Use of Industrial Heat Treatment Furnace
Various grades of steel account for over 80% of all metals exposed to thermal processing each year, although titanium, copper, brass, nickel, aluminum, and magnesium alloys can all benefit from the procedure. While ferrous and nonferrous metals such as cast iron and tool steel are the most often heat-treated materials, the procedure may also be used to modify the characteristics of ceramics and glass.
General Specifications for Metals in Heat Treatment Furnace
The methods and processes used to heat and cool metals are determined by the metal’s individual qualities and the intended output.
Temperature
Temperature is an important factor in the heat treatment process. Metals can only be heated until they become soft and pliable, or greater temperatures can be utilized to alter their fundamental characteristics. Once a metal has been heated and cooled, it can be tempered to increase its toughness and hardness. Once again, temperature is quite essential. Tool steels are tempered at temperatures ranging from 160 to 300 degrees Celsius, whereas spring or high-speed steels require even higher temperatures.
Processing Time
Metals are heated to a specified temperature and then held there until the required result is obtained. This time is known as the “soaking stage,” and it can run anywhere from 12 minutes to more than an hour depending on the thickness of the metal. To guarantee consistency across the metal, reach the soaking temperature slowly and carefully.
Atmospheric Requirements
Industrial furnace heat treatment is only effective when the environment is well-regulated. The atmosphere can shield the metal being heated from potentially dangerous substances, or it can function as a carrier, reacting with the metal’s surface to promote hardening.
When the metal needs to be safeguarded, gases such as argon, helium, and nitrogen are utilized to produce an inert environment. Hydrogen is used to decarbonize steel and interacts with any oxygen present to increase heat transmission, whereas endothermic gas mixtures of hydrogen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide create neutral conditions for carbonitriding and carburizing.
Conclusion
Heat Treatment Furnace Manufacturers guarantee that the product steel is corrosion-resistant and can withstand ordinary weathering conditions. The manufactured steel should be able to endure erosion and stress loading while remaining strong and ductile. Other techniques that can achieve a similar result include carbon or nitrogen diffusion to the surface by flame hardening, induction hardening, nitriding, and carbonitriding.
Maharith Thermal Private Limited
Maharith Thermal Pvt Ltd is known for its expertise in Industrial heater and Industrial Oven manufacturing. We fabricate high grade and energy efficient furnaces to meet research and industrial requirements.