In metal smelting and casting, quenching is an essential process. Without it, metal products would have poor ductility and would not be suitable for practical use. When performing quenching, an annealing furnace is required. Annealing furnaces are commonly used equipment in metal processing plants, and there are many different models. The most common types include trolley-type annealing furnaces, pit-type annealing furnaces, and vacuum bright annealing furnaces.
So, how is an annealing furnace used, and what types are there?
How is an annealing furnace used?
- An annealing furnace is a process used in the manufacturing of semiconductor devices. It involves heating semiconductor wafers to influence their electrical properties. Different heat treatment processes are designed for different intended effects.
- An annealing furnace can heat wafers to activate dopants, convert thin films, or transform the film–substrate interface. It can also compact dense films, alter the growth state of thin films, repair implantation damage, move dopants between layers, or allow dopants to diffuse into the wafer substrate. Annealing furnaces may be integrated into other processes such as oxidation, or operated independently.
Types of annealing furnaces
1. Trolley-type Annealing Furnace
This furnace is energy-efficient, saving more than 30% power. It consists of a furnace wall, furnace lining, chamber, burners, transmission mechanism, electric heating system, and automatic control system.
Its main difference from other furnaces is that the furnace wall can move forward and backward, while the loading trolley and chamber remain fixed. This reduces the load requirements on the trolley and increases the overall service life of the equipment.
2. Pit-type Annealing Furnace
Mainly used for annealing wire coils, copper materials, stainless steel parts, and other components. After heat treatment, oxidation is reduced and the materials remain clean.
The equipment includes a furnace shell, lining, cover, heating elements, and a temperature control cabinet.
3. Natural Gas Annealing Furnace
This type provides excellent energy-saving performance—up to about 60% reduction in energy consumption. It is used for quenching stainless steel, high-chromium cast parts, carbon steel, ductile iron, hot-rolled strip steel, bearing steel balls, and other metal components.
4. Vacuum Bright Annealing Furnace
Designed for vacuum annealing of a wide variety of metal components. Suitable for different metals and alloys, and capable of bright annealing and vacuum distillation.
5. Mesh Belt Continuous Annealing Furnace
This furnace can perform vacuum bright annealing as well as heat treatment on various alloys. It is highly versatile and suitable for continuous production.