Annealing is a metal heat treatment process in which the metal is slowly heated to an appropriate temperature, held for a sufficient time, and then cooled at a controlled or natural rate. Its main purposes include:
- Reducing hardness and softening the workpiece to improve machinability.
- Improving or eliminating defects and residual stresses caused by casting, forging, rolling, and welding, reducing the risk of deformation, cracking, or fissures.
- Refining grain structure and improving mechanical properties.
- Homogenizing material structure and composition to enhance material performance or prepare it for subsequent heat treatments, such as annealing or tempering.
Handling Leak Points
After identifying leaks, timely sealing is essential to maintain proper furnace atmosphere:
- Weld cracks: Re-weld the cracked areas of seams.
- Seals and gaskets: Replace any aged or damaged sealing gaskets.
- Bolts and fasteners: Tighten any loose bolts or moving fasteners.
Preventive Measures
- Establish a furnace airtightness inspection system to promptly detect leaks.
- Ensure online monitoring instruments are periodically calibrated to provide accurate measurement data.
- Combine proper inspection and repair methods to maintain a stable furnace atmosphere, which is critical for product surface quality.
These steps collectively help maintain the furnace atmosphere, ensuring high-quality annealing results and protecting the integrity of treated materials.