When it comes to metal heat treatment, the type of furnace atmosphere used is crucial.
There are three primary types of furnace atmospheres: exothermic, endothermic, and inert atmospheres.
Each type serves specific purposes in metal heat treatment processes.
4 Key Types of Furnace Atmosphere Explained
1. Exothermic Atmosphere
Exothermic atmosphere is characterized by exothermic reactions.
These reactions generate heat without the need for external heating of gas and air.
It is highly effective in preventing surface oxidation during metal heat treatment.
There are two main types of exothermic atmospheres used for heating steel:
Rich Exothermic
This atmosphere has a nominal composition of N2 = 71.5%; CO = 10.5%; CO2 = 5%; H2 = 12.5%; methane (CH4) = 0.5%.
It is typically used for steel tempering, copper and silver brazing, annealing, and powdered metal sintering.
The carbon potential of the gas mixture is lower than 0.10%, making it suitable for low carbon steels to avoid decarburization.
Decarburization could lead to poor wear resistance.
Lean Exothermic
This atmosphere has a nominal composition of N2 = 86.8%; CO = 1.5%; CO2 = 10.5%; H2 = 1.2%.
It is less commonly used compared to the rich exothermic atmosphere.
This is due to its lower carbon monoxide and hydrogen content, which affects its ability to prevent oxidation and decarburization.
2. Endothermic Atmosphere (Class 300)
Endothermic atmosphere is created by adding a mixture of fuel and air to a heated chamber containing a catalyst.
The process results in an atmosphere that is rich in carbon monoxide and hydrogen.
These components are effective in preventing oxidation and decarburization during heat treatment processes.
It is particularly useful for applications requiring precise control over the atmosphere composition.
3. Inert Atmospheres
Inert atmospheres include gases like argon, nitrogen, and helium.
These gases do not react with the materials being heated.
They are used to prevent oxidation and other chemical reactions during heat treatment.
Inert atmospheres are particularly useful for sensitive materials or processes where the presence of oxygen or other reactive gases could be detrimental.
4. Other Atmospheres
Class 200
This basic atmosphere is created by removing carbon dioxide and water vapor from a nitrogen base.
It is typically used in less critical applications where a simple, clean atmosphere is required.
Class 600
This atmosphere is based on ammonia and is used in specific applications where the properties of ammonia are beneficial.
For example, it is used in certain types of nitriding processes.
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Each of these atmospheres serves a specific purpose in the heat treatment of metals.
The choice of atmosphere is critical in achieving the desired metallurgical properties and preventing unwanted reactions during the heating process.
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