Businesses across a multitude of industries get the equipment they need from vacuum furnace manufacturers. In fact, we rely on this type of heat treatment to make components we use in our everyday lives. But if you aren’t personally familiar with vacuum furnaces and why they’re so commonly used, this brief guide will provide you with some useful background information.
What is a vacuum furnace?
Essentially, it’s a large piece of equipment that’s used to heat treat certain types of metals or ceramics to extremely high temperatures without compromising the integrity of the material. These furnaces are used to carry out a variety of processes; aside from heat treatment, all those vacuum parts can work together to braze, anneal, and sinter materials, as well.
Which industries use vacuum furnaces?
Countless businesses work with vacuum furnace manufacturers to create the machines they need for their products. Vacuum furnaces are used to make everything from flexible solar panels to the electronics we use daily. They’re also used in the medical industry and can even make artificial gems. Clearly, they’re well-suited to a variety of applications.
Why are heat furnaces often preferred to other heat treatment equipment?
One of the main benefits of using a vacuum furnace is the fact it protects the materials during the treatment process. By using a vacuum furnace, you’ll be keeping out air and other gases that could cause oxidation or heat loss, both of which could contaminate the material itself. Typically, these gases are removed using a vacuum pumping system; this won’t remove 100% of the air, it will remove the majority and leave virtually nothing left to react to the treated materials. This will ensure there are no discolorations or other structural changes during the process. These furnaces also allow for better temperature control and faster process cycle times. In the end, that translates into products of a higher quality, produced more efficiently.
Although there are several other ways to heat treat (like induction hardening, decarburization, and more), using a vacuum furnace is the preferred method for many industries. And because it’s such a consistent process, able to be easily replicated any number of times, manufacturers won’t have to worry about producing an inferior product.
