Overview
Vacuum annealing furnaces are widely used in casting, metallurgy, automotive, aerospace, shipbuilding, light industry, and power sectors. They can perform various annealing heat treatments on high-chromium and high-manganese steel castings, gray cast iron, rolls, bearings, steel balls, and wear-resistant linings.
The furnace structure typically includes:
- Furnace body with a movable furnace cover and control system
- Heating elements made of high-resistance alloy 0Cr25Al5 on the furnace sides
- Furnace bottom built with high-alumina bricks for load-bearing, using concentric ring design for uniform heating
- Hydraulic furnace cover for lifting and motor-driven automatic movement
Key Daily Maintenance Points
- Cleanliness:
- Keep the interior and exterior of the furnace clean.
- Remove debris only when the furnace is powered off and cooled to room temperature.
- Surface Coating:
- Maintain the furnace’s silver powder coating.
- Apply 1–2 coats per year to reduce radiant heat loss.
- Heating Element Care:
- Avoid raising the furnace temperature excessively to prevent burning the heating wires.
- Regularly inspect wires; separate any that touch each other.
- Temperature Control System:
- Ensure the temperature control system works properly.
- Prevent overheating that could damage the furnace.
- Calibrate thermocouples and control instruments periodically.
- Furnace Components Inspection:
- Check for loose guide rods, clean oxidation, and tighten clamps.
- Inspect furnace lining, heating wire supports, and bricks; repair damage promptly.
- Grounding Check:
- Ensure furnace shell grounding bolts are secure.
- Drive Mechanism Maintenance:
- Lubricate drive bearings regularly with grease.
- Add lubricating oil to the gearbox before use.
- Furnace Door Safety:
- Check the lifting steel wire ropes frequently. Replace immediately if damaged.
- Operational Limits:
- Operate strictly according to the furnace manual.
- Do not exceed the rated temperature, load capacity, or effective heating area.
Summary:
Regular cleaning, inspection, lubrication, and strict adherence to operational limits are essential for ensuring safety, prolonging service life, and maintaining optimal performance of vacuum annealing furnaces.