Metal Heat Treating Solutions

Annealed Stainless Steel

Bluewater Thermal Solutions offers thermal processing, coating, and metal joining at processing plants across North America.

Learn More About Our Processes:

STAINLESS STEEL BRIGHT ANNEALING IN CONTINUOUS FURNACES
VACUUM HEAT TREATMENT OF STEEL

 

continuous bright annealing furnace Bluewater has the capability to perform bright annealing of stainless steel in continuous belt furnaces. Continuous furnaces allow for a constant stream of parts to pass through an annealing furnace and are the most economical way to process high volumes of components. It also has the advantage of having parts being placed in thin layers on a mesh belt instead of batch processing where large masses of bulk material are treated at once. The thin layered parts will heat and cool more uniformly, producing consistent results from part to part throughout the load. The thin layers of parts also are less prone to distortion than bulk loading techniques normally used in vacuum.

Continuous processing can produce more parts per hour than vacuum annealing separate batches and is a lower cost alternative to vacuum furnaces. Click here to request a quote for your job.

Bluewater uses protective atmospheres with inert gases to prevent oxidation so that parts emerge from the furnace bright and shiny. Bluewater has a metallurgical laboratory for testing product after heat treatment with capability of measuring hardness, grain size and evaluating microstructures. CMM capability is also offered for parts that have critical dimensional characteristics.

STAINLESS STEEL BRIGHT ANNEALING IN CONTINUOUS FURNACES

Bluewater is capable of bright annealing stainless steel using continuous belt furnaces, which allow for a constant stream of parts to pass through the furnace, making it the most economical way to process high volumes of components. This method has the added advantage of placing parts in thin layers on a mesh belt, leading to uniform heating and cooling for consistent results from part to part throughout the load. Compared to bulk loading techniques used in vacuum, the thin layers of parts are less prone to distortion. Continuous furnaces provide an efficient and effective solution for annealing stainless steel parts. 

VACUUM HEAT TREATMENT OF STEEL

Vacuum heating prevents oxidation, scale formation, carburizing, decarburizing, nitriding, and de-alloying. Tool and stainless steels are heat-treated in a vacuum and quenched using high-pressure inert nitrogen gas for rapid cooling, leaving a bright and shiny surface. Gas quenching reduces distortion and minimizes size change compared to liquid quenching. Bluewater offers vacuum heat treatment services with nitrogen or vacuum tempering to avoid discoloration. Cryogenic treatment is recommended and performed on some tool steels and stainless steels for better performance.

Heating in a vacuum where all gases including oxygen have been removed allows the material to be heated without oxidation, scale formation or other reactions such as carburizing, decarburizing, nitriding, and de-alloying occurring.

WHY ANNEALED STAINLESS STEEL?


After annealing, the stainless steel becomes softer and more malleable, making it easier to form, shape, or fabricate. This annealed stainless steel is often used in applications where high strength and hardness are not necessary, and instead, improved machinability and formability are desired. 

Annealed stainless steel is widely used in various industries for its improved machinability and formability. It finds applications in kitchen utensils, architectural elements, automotive components, household appliances, medical equipment, fasteners, jewelry, aerospace, and electronics. Its corrosion resistance, durability, and biocompatibility make it a popular choice for a diverse range of practical and decorative purposes.

 

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT OTHER PROCESSES WE OFFER

Industrial Heat Treating Overview
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