The furnace used for annealing is typically an annealing furnace, which can be either a batch furnace or a continuous furnace, depending on the specific requirements of the process and the materials being treated.
Batch Furnaces: Batch furnaces are used for various heat treatments, including annealing. They are characterized by the loading of multiple rolls of wire mesh at once, and they can reach temperatures between 1200℉ and 2500℉. These furnaces include different types such as box, car-bottom, integral-quench, pit, and vacuum furnaces. They are suitable for heating all metals within a certain width and are capable of handling a variety of annealing processes.
Continuous Furnaces: Continuous furnaces are designed to unroll wire mesh and run it as a single layer at a constant speed. The material is transported through the furnace at a constant speed or step by step, and it is heated simultaneously. These furnaces are used for reheating semi-finished products for subsequent hot forming or heat treatment. They offer higher performance capacities compared to batch-type furnaces.
Annealing Process in Furnaces: Annealing furnaces are specifically designed to heat materials above their recrystallization temperature, maintain this temperature for a suitable amount of time, and then cool the material at a steady rate. This process involves three main stages: recovery, recrystallization, and grain growth. During recovery, the furnace heats up to relieve internal stresses. In the recrystallization stage, the material is heated above its recrystallization temperature but below its melting point to form new grains. Finally, during grain growth, new grains form as the material cools, making it more pliable.
Applications and Materials: Annealing furnaces are ideally suited for processing materials such as copper, copper alloy, nickel, nickel chrome, titanium, stainless steel, and refractory metals. The annealing process may vary based on the material being treated and the desired outcome. These furnaces can be employed for various types of annealing, including final, full, intermediate, partial, and recrystallization annealing, in varying time and temperature ranges.
In summary, the choice between a batch furnace and a continuous furnace for annealing depends on the scale of operation, the desired temperature, and the specific features required for the product. Both types of furnaces are capable of performing the annealing process effectively, with batch furnaces offering flexibility in handling different materials and processes, and continuous furnaces providing higher throughput and efficiency for continuous operations.
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