One of the challenges of working with different types of metals and alloys, particularly in any application that involves the application of heat, is the reactivity of the molecular structure.
This is different between metals and alloys, with some being relatively non-reactive while others are very reactive. These reactions also occur at different temperatures between alloys and metals, with colder to room temperatures providing very limited reaction while heating accelerates the rate of the chemical reactions of the elements in the air with the elements in the heated metal.
To avoid this issue, it will be important to use vacuum heat treatment services. This eliminates the reaction by removing the reactive elements in the air without the need to flush the system with an inert gas or complete the process in a bath.
Why This Matters
The use of vacuum heat treatment services to eliminate these unwanted reactions is not just for aesthetic purposes, although it does prevent discoloration that can be a significant concern for Original Equipment Manufacturers.
These services are used to prevent the change in the physical structure of the surface of the part undergoing the heat treatment. These reactions, depending on the alloy or metal, can create a hard surface or a soft surface, both options which are undesirable and lead to quality control problems in parts.
There are different types of systems used in vacuum heat treatment services to draw out the air to the desired level to avoid any surface reactions. For highly reactive metals, including the superalloy family, it will be necessary to use an advanced type of system that removes virtually all of the air. Other types of metals, such as stainless steel, will not discolor or have surface changes unless there is a significant amount of oxygen or contaminants in the air inside the furnace chamber.
