Annealing makes metal more ductile and increases its tensile strength by relieving interior stress.
The effects of annealing are especially valuable in steel-an alloy that is used in support structures such as vehicle frames and bridge supports.
If you think that metal annealing could benefit your company, but you have questions about its application to steel, the answers below can help.
What types of processes are used to anneal steel? Steel can be annealed in more than one way.
One of the most common ways is process annealing that takes place in one of two temperature ranges: above 720 degrees Celsius in the austenitic range and below 720 degrees Celsius in the ferrite range.
The austenitic range is used for softening steel quickly.
The ferrite range is used for making it as soft as possible, and involves a longer heating process.
Another method for treating steel is bright annealing, which decreases oxidization by placing steel in a vacuum environment or an atmosphere-controlled furnace, such as a bell annealer.
This method is used for annealing stainless steel and supplies it with a commercial grade surface.
What type of heat equipment is used to anneal steel? Most alloys of steel require the heat of an industrial annealing furnace.
Because the quality of annealed metal depends on achieving the right temperature and maintaining it for a period of time, the type of heat equipment a metal needs is often specific and cannot be replaced.
What are the "atmospheres" that steel is annealed in? Atmospheres refer to inner furnace atmospheres that eliminate decarburization, the process of decreasing carbon in metal.
To this end, different atmospheres are used to preserve different grades of steel.
For example, mild steel, steel alloys and carbon steel all require a different atmosphere.
Typically, atmospheres are a mixture of nitrogen and natural gas, nitrogen and hydrogen or nitrogen and cracked methanol.
A bell annealer is an example of a furnace that maintains a specific atmosphere.
Must steel be annealed more than once its lifetime? This depends on how it is used.
Steel that does not encounter frequent, high level stress is seldom re-annealed.
For example, steel building beams are not re-annealed, but engine components and pressure bearing pieces such as tow bars often are.
Restorative annealing is recommended for pieces that continuously accumulate "stress" that could cause them to crack or break.
Can annealing be a cost saving service? Yes.
It helps companies save money in at least three ways.
First, it can extend the lifespan of parts by increasing their ductility and relieving their stress.
Second, it can recondition used parts, allowing them to be used in new assemblies.
Third, it can prevent catastrophic scenarios that result from metal breakage, such as auto accidents, bridge collapses and broken towing devices, to name a few.
How Much Does it Cost to Anneal Steel? This depends on the process that is used, the number of pieces that are serviced and the rates of a metal treatment service.
For exact estimates contact a metal treatment service.