When you place a pizza in your oven, you probably don’t think much about the air or gasses inside. That’s because you don’t need special surroundings to heat and cook foods at home. However, this is not the case when it comes to hardening and preparing metal like steel. In fact, it takes a controlled atmosphere heat treating process to create the best-hardened steel parts, components, and materials today. Here is more on the process.
Why is Furnace Environment So Important?
The area inside of a furnace can contain many types of atoms and molecules. During the heating process, these materials may become mixed or bonded with the steel. This contamination can weaken the structure and defeat the purpose of the hardening process. Also, the environment can make metal more reactive or resistant to some processes. Controlled atmosphere heat treating gives the modern-day metal treatment company many options.
Atmosphere Changes
Some furnaces use vacuum methods to remove all the oxygen from the chamber. This allows them to introduce other gases that are important to the hardening process. In some cases (like carbonitriding) nitrogen is introduced, and this creates durable and strong steel.
By controlling the environment, oxidation can be limited or eliminated. For example, some contaminants interfere with carburizing and by removing them, you have a more efficient process. A controlled atmosphere can enhance or prohibit some kinds of chemical reactions.
Choosing the Right Company
Many companies use atmosphere heat treating methods, but some give you better value for your money. This is especially important if you have unique needs because the best companies work with you and offer innovative solutions to your problems. You may enjoy additional services like brazing, boronizing, annealing, and engine block casting. These are only a few of the many things they can do for you when you choose the right company.
