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Machines & equipment for sale

What is Annealing?

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.

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Brand New
SNOL 1100°C & 1300°C Tool Room Muffle Furnace Range (39/1100 LHM01 shown) More Images Available

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
Order Now & More Info
Brand New
SNOL 1100°C - 1300°C Chamber Furnace Range - 40/1200 LSF01 Video Available

SNOL 1100°C - 1300°C Bench Top 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
Order Now & More Info
Brand New
SNOL 1200°C - 1300°C Industrial Chamber Furnace Range More Images Available

SNOL 1200°C - 1300°C Industrial Chamber Furnace Range

SNOL's industrial range of chamber furnaces furnace, is suitable for applications in scientific laboratories, medicine and industrial settings, especially for high temperature processes such as hardening, normalising & stress relieving.

Stock No
NEW077
Category
Industrial Furnaces
Model
SNOL SNOL 1200/1300
Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
Various
Max Temp
1200°C - 1300°C
Availability:
Available subject to build time
Price [?]
Please call on +44 (0) 1922 45 8000
Order Now & More Info
Brand New
SNOL 650°C Electric Shaft Furnace More Images Available

SNOL 650°C Vertical Forced Circulation Furnace

A Vertical Forced Circulation Furnace is an industrial oven designed for precise and uniform heat treatment of components, often used for a wide range of heat treatment processes such as tempering annealing and normalising. These furnaces are available in a range of sizes and temperatures up to 650°C

Stock No
NEW078
Category
Industrial Furnaces
Model
SNOL 35/650
Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
300mm Ø x 500mm high
Max Temp
650°C
Other Info
35 litre capacity / 8 kW heater elements
Condition
Brand New
Availability:
Available subject to build time
Price [?]
Please call on +44 (0) 1922 45 8000
Order Now & More Info
Carbolite LCF Large Capacity Furnace, 1200°C Furnace More Images Available

Carbolite 1200°C LCF Large Industrial Chamber Furnace

From a range of well proven highly efficient large capacity 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
OE2613
Category
Industrial Furnaces
Model
Carbolite LCF 1200°C
Internal Size (WxDxH mm) [?]
600 x 1300 x 260mm (202 Litres)
Max Temp
1200°C
Other Info
ABB SM500F Videographic Recorder (VGR)
Condition
From a working environment
Sold As Seen Price [?]
£ Login or Register for price.
Buy Now & More Info