What is Annealing?
Annealing is a heat treatment that alters the properties of a metal. This process is applied to many types of metals, such as steel and cast iron, and it is used mostly to increase the ductility and reduce the hardness of a material. Annealing is often performed after material has undergone a hardening or cold working process to prevent it from brittle failure or to make it more formable for subsequent operations.
Benefits of Annealing
- Annealing improves the formability of a material and its machinability. A material that is hard and brittle can be difficult to bend or press without breaking it. Annealing reduces the hardness to reduce the wear of the metal.
- Removes residual stress
- Improves elasticity
- Enhances electrical conductivity
Annealing Process
Annealing changes the physical and sometimes the chemical properties of a material to increase ductility and reduce the hardness. An annealing furnace works by heating a material above the recrystallization temperature and then cooling the material once it has been held at the desired temperature for a suitable length of time.
- Recovery Stage: In the first phase of the annealing process, a furnace or other type of heat source is used to raise the temperature of the material to a point that removes internal stresses, this results in softening the metal through the removal of primarily linear defects called dislocations. This stage occurs at a lower temperature.
- Recrystallization Stage: The temperature of the metal is raised by applying more heat just below its melting point and high enough that the atoms recrystallize but do not melt. This causes new grains to form without any pre-existing tension.
- Grain Growth Stage: New crystal grains are developed as the grain grows, and this growth is controlled by letting the material cool down at a certain rate. After the completion of these three stages, the material becomes more ductile and hardness is reduced. Once the metal is annealed, final processes such as shaping, stamping or forming are applied.
Common Applications for Annealed Metals
Annealing is used across many types of industries, from construction and manufacturing to automobiles and even jewellery.
- Metal wire that has been drawn from one size to a smaller size might need to undergo an annealing process
- Machining operations that create high amounts of heat or material displacement may need an annealing process afterwards
- Welded components: annealing is often used to recreate uniform physical properties
- Semiconductor industry: silicon wafers are annealed
What is the Difference Between Annealing and Tempering?
The main difference between annealing and tempering is that annealing involves heating the steel to a specified temperature and then cooling at a very slow and controlled rate while tempering involves heating the metal to a precise temperature below the critical point.
Equipment Required for Annealing
Annealing requires a heating device, most commonly a furnace capable of reaching temperatures between 700 °C and 900 °C although some can reach 1000 °C or higher. The type of furnace depends on the needs of the metal. For high volume process annealing, gas fired furnaces are often used.
Riley Surface World has a range of furnaces that are suitable for annealing right across the temperature range (650°C +). Alternatively, for smaller parts and components try our Lab/Bench Top Ovens or Bench Top Furnaces.
Induction Heating Systems Limited Induction Melting Furnace
Induction Heating Systems (UK) Limited (Incorporating Taylormade Induction) One Tonne Tipping Melting Furnace. Includes: Thyristor/Invertor, Induction Coil Interconnecting Parts. Option to Include: Transformer, Air Blast Cooler, Spare Unused Furnace Body & Induction Coil
- Stock No
- IND500
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Induction Heating Systems Limited 1 Tonne Tipping Melting Furnace
- Year of Manufacture
- 2016
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Ø 600 x 1050 mm
- Max Temp
- Metal Dependent
- Other Info
- Frequency 250-1000Hz, 500KW
- Condition
- Excellent Condition, Ex demonstration, Seen powered at RSW
- Direct Site Clearance Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Part of a Direct Site Clearance
- Ferrous & Non-Ferrous Melting & Ingot Casting Facility Clearance
SNOL 1100°C - 1300°C Muffle Furnace Range
The economical muffle furnace is designed for general workshop and laboratory heat treatments up to 1300°C and up to 39 litres.
- Stock No
- NEW073
- Category
- Tool Room & Bench Top Furnaces
- Model
- SNOL LHM01
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Various
- Max Temp
- 1100°C, 1300°C
- Condition
- Brand New
- Availability:
- Available subject to build time
- Price [?]
- Please call on +44 (0) 1922 45 8000
SNOL 1100°C - 1300°C Chamber Furnace Range
SNOL's LSF01 is a compact laboratory furnace, suitable for applications in the laboratory or light industry setting, especially when multiple or larger test samples are required.
- Stock No
- NEW074
- Category
- Tool Room & Bench Top Furnaces
- Model
- SNOL LSF01
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Various
- Max Temp
- 1100°C, 1200°C, 1300°C
- Condition
- Brand New
- Availability:
- Available subject to build time
- Price [?]
- Please call on +44 (0) 1922 45 8000
Hendrick Industrial Equipment Ltd Through Feed Double Bogie Shuttle Heat Treatment Furnace to AMS 2750 rev E
Hendrick Industrial Equipment Ltd Pre-oxidization and Annealing Furnace with 2 rail mounted carts/ bogeys to allow components to be wheeled into and out of chamber. 0-925°C temperature range, switchgear, accessories and spares, rebuilt in 2003.
- Stock No
- OA2255
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Hendrick Industrial Equipment Ltd Bogie Hearth
- Year of Manufacture
- 2003 (Ref)
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 1050 x 900 x 500
- Max Temp
- 1050°C rating of 40kW
- Other Info
- 12 Point Survey AMS 2750 rev E
- Condition
- From a working environment, Good Condition
- Refurbished Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Made In Germany Carburising Electric Pit Furnace
A versatile 130kW Carburising furnace utilising Homocarb© fluid to create the atmosphere. Manual or automatic operation of temperature and atmosphere set points with a maximum working temperature of 1000°C
- Stock No
- OA2269
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Made In Germany Carbo Drop
- Year of Manufacture
- Ref 2018
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Charge size 900 Ø x 900 high
- Max Temp
- 1000°C with cooling facility
- Other Info
- AMS2750 rev E from 500°C to 950°C
- Condition
- Seen working by RSW, Excellent Condition
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Watkins Johnson Mesh Belt Furnace
This Watkins Johnson 6 zone furnace consists of the following major components and operational features. Eurotherm Mini 8 programmable controller linked to an external PC. 6 zones with 2 side, 1 top and 1 bottom element in each zone. Variable belt speed control.
- Stock No
- OB2281
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Watkins Johnson 6 zone Furnace Model 14TF
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 355 wide x 80 high above belt
- Max Temp
- 900°C
- Other Info
- Variable Speed Conveyor Belt.
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Metritherm 6 Zone Atmosphere Low Temperature Mesh Belt Furnace
This is a 6 zone atmosphere low temperature conveyor furnace . The furnace was used for glass to metal sealing at 620°C with nitrogen.
- Stock No
- OB2283J
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Metritherm 6 Zone
- Year of Manufacture
- Ref 2019
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 150mm Wide belt x 70mm Tall aperture
- Max Temp
- 680°C
- Other Info
- Belt width 150mm
- Condition
- From a working environment, Good Condition
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Almor Group Top Loading Chamber Furnace
Top loading high temperature tool room/laboratory furnace. 1400°C approx. 2 Litres.
- Stock No
- OB2288
- Category
- Tool Room & Bench Top Furnaces
- Model
- Almor Group FF2 Top Loading Tool room Furnace
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 120 x 120 x 120
- Max Temp
- 1400°C
- Other Info
- Unrestricted Loading
- Condition
- Excellent Condition, Seen powered at RSW
- Availability
- Available for immediate collection
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
RM Catterson-Smith 650°C Oven / Kiln
Brick lined kiln with a single opening, lift up counterbalanced door and double handwheel fastening to the top and bottom. Thermocouple temperature probe and Mitsco 3300 multi-programmable pendant controller for maximum flexibility.
- Stock No
- OB2389
- Category
- Tool Room & Bench Top Furnaces
- Model
- RM Catterson-Smith CKLP3B
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 600 x 1200 x 600
- Max Temp
- 650°C
- Other Info
- MITSCO 3300 Multi Programmable Pendant
- Condition
- Good Condition, Seen powered at RSW
ML Furnaces M9 1200șC Bench Top Furnace
From a range of well proven highly efficient muffle type furnaces incorporating features which combine the expertise of generations of furnace construction and design, together with the latest high technology, components, and techniques.
- Stock No
- OC2429
- Category
- Tool Room & Bench Top Furnaces
- Model
- ML Furnaces M9
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 300 x 465 x 285
- Max Temp
- 1200°c
- Other Info
- 7 Kw
- Condition
- From a working environment, Good Condition
Wild Barfield VFC 2018c Vertical Tempering Furnace
A cylindrical tempering furnace manufactured with semi-refractory and insulated brickwork, nickel-chromium tubular elements supported on brackets, provides heat along with forced air which comes from below via a motor driven centrifugal fan. A new electrical control panel with digital controllers and accelerated cooling completes this unit.
- Stock No
- OC2495
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Wild Barfield VFC 2018c
- Year of Manufacture
- Re HTS Ltd
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Ø762 x 889mm
- Max Temp
- 700
- Other Info
- Basket Size Ø508 x 457mm
- Condition
- Excellent Condition
- Refurbished Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Induction Heating Systems Limited Induction Melting Furnace
Induction Heating Systems (UK) Limited (Incorporating Taylormade Induction) One Tonne Tipping Melting Furnace. Includes: Thyristor/Invertor, Induction Coil Interconnecting Parts. Option to Include: Transformer, Air Blast Cooler, Spare Unused Furnace Body & Induction Coil
- Stock No
- OC2497S
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Induction Heating Systems Limited 1 Tonne Tipping Melting Furnace
- Year of Manufacture
- 2016
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Ø 600 x 1050 mm
- Max Temp
- Metal Dependent
- Other Info
- Frequency 250-1000Hz, 500KW
- Condition
- Excellent Condition, Ex demonstration, Seen powered at RSW
- Direct Site Clearance Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Part of a Direct Site Clearance
- 1000Hz Induction Melting Furnace
Wessex Furnaces 670°C AMS 2750 Heavy Duty Air Circulated Box Oven
This steel lined, 670°C, roller hearth, industrial, air circulated oven has a large chamber size of 950mm x 1000mm x 950mm. Featuring a vertical lifting door, Eurotherm 3208 PID controller and Eurotherm 3216 over temperature controller.
- Stock No
- OD2531
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Wessex Furnaces AMS 2750 Class 5 Vertical Door
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- 950 x 1000 x 950
- Max Temp
- 670°C
- Other Info
- AMS 2750 Class 5 Industrial Box Oven
- Condition
- From a working environment, Good Condition
- Location
- Arriving in our warehouse soon
- Refurbished Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Wild Barfield 650°C Vertical Air Circulated TRT1020 Industrial Furnace / Oven.
The Wild Barfield Model TRT 1020 is a 650°C, 8kw single phase, forced vertical air circulated toolroom furnace / oven is ideal for a range of small heat treatment processes.
- Stock No
- OD2548J
- Category
- Industrial Furnaces
- Model
- Wild Barfield TRT 1020
- Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
- Ø260 x 700mm
- Max Temp
- 650°c
- Other Info
- For annealing and tempering steels
- Condition
- From a working environment, Excellent Condition
- Refurbished Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
- Sold As Seen Price [?]
- £ Login or Register for price.
Centrotherm Centronic Diffusion Tube Furnace
Centrotherm Centronic Diffusion Tube Furnace. The furnace was used in the manufacture of the BP Solar Saturn Cell (Laser Grooved Buried Contact) this was used in the manufacture of solar concentrator systems.
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