Characteristics and Operating Conditions of Quenching Furnaces
2021-06-18
A quenching furnace is the heating unit used to preheat workpieces before the quenching process. Quenching involves heating the workpiece inside the furnace to a temperature above the critical point for quenching, holding it there for a specific duration, and then rapidly removing it from the furnace to immerse it in a quenching medium—such as oil or water—for rapid cooling. The furnace can be powered by electricity or fuel, and its temperature is typically monitored using thermocouples. For furnaces powered by electricity, gas, or liquid fuels, temperature control and adjustment can be automated via instrumentation.
The quenching furnace is used for the quenching treatment of extruded aluminum alloy tubes, bars, and profiles. Before quenching, the extruded products must be heated uniformly, with a temperature difference kept below ±2.5°C. During quenching, the transition time should be brief—no longer than 15 seconds.
In the past, aluminum alloy extrusion products were treated using a nitrate (KNO3) bath. However, as the length of aluminum alloy extrusions increased, this quenching method has been phased out. Currently, both domestically and internationally, vertical quench furnaces are more commonly used, with the quenching tank directly positioned beneath the furnace body. These quench furnaces feature the following characteristics:
① Before quenching, the extruded product can be heated uniformly and rapidly;
② The material can be quickly immersed into the quenching bath;
③ Prevents bending and torsional deformation of the product caused by its own weight and thermal compression, helping to maintain the product's shape;
④ The mechanical properties of the extruded product are uniform after quenching.
The vertical quenching furnace designed by the Nonferrous Metal Processing and Design Research Institute is suitable for quenching aluminum alloy extrusions, though materials longer than 8 meters cannot be processed. It is currently used in small to medium-sized aluminum processing plants, with an annual capacity of 1,000 tons. The furnace features five heating zones, each capable of delivering up to 300 kilowatts of heat, while the total power consumption—including auxiliary equipment—reaches 424 kilowatts.
Terms of Use
1. For indoor use only.
2. The ambient temperature ranges from -5°C to 40°C.
3. The area must have a monthly average relative humidity no higher than 85% and a monthly average temperature no greater than 30°C.
4. There should be no conductive dust, explosive gases, or corrosive gases present in the vicinity that could severely damage metals or insulation.
5. No noticeable vibration or bumps.
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2025-09-17