There are many different reasons to choose vacuum heat treatment services as the ideal option for heat treatment of different metals and alloys. The key reason is always to remove as much oxygen as possible from the atmosphere where the heat treatment occurs, creating an unreactive environment for the process.
Today, thanks to technology and research, it is possible to design and manufacturer furnaces and quenching systems to provide vacuum heat treatment services for cost-effective large and small volume orders. This is done through special sealed furnaces which use high efficiency pumps to remove the air from the chamber prior to the process, eliminating the risk of oxidation.
Ideally, all grades of steels and most nickel alloys, titanium and stainless steel, vacuum heat treatment provides the option to both complete the heat treatment as well as the quenching process in the limited atmosphere chamber. The result is a part or component which not only looks great but also has the additional strength desired through the process.
Options
Using a vacuum heat treatment is possible for hardening, annealing, and tempering. It is also possible to age harden, carburize and complete vacuum nitriding. The various processes or options will be determined by the specific type of metal or alloy. Brazing can also be completed in a vacuum, creating a bright, polished join area without the need for additional finishing processes.
Different alloys and metals, including Inconel, tungsten, titanium, copper, brass, tool steel, and tantalum can all be heat treated using these vacuum heat treatment options.
Environmentally Friendly
Increasingly, Original Equipment Manufacturers are focusing on “green” processes and production options. The use of vacuum heat treatment services falls into this category as creating the vacuum requires very limited power and there are no added elements in the chamber.