Abstract: A heat treating furnace including a housing defining a chamber, a heavy high thermal capacity cast link endless conveyor belt positioned within the chamber for moving articles to be heat treated through the chamber, a narrow elongated vestibule passage extending forwardly from the chamber, and a light low thermal capacity wire mesh endless belt conveyor extending from a furnace loading location forwardly of the vestibule passage through the vestibule passage to a location within the chamber in vertically spaced overlying relation to the forward end portion of the cast link conveyor. The vestibule passage minimizes loss of heat treating atmosphere from the furnace chamber, and curtains are provided in the vestibule passage to further minimize atmosphere loss. The light feed conveyor is run at a higher linear speed than the heavy furnace conveyor so that the load on the feed conveyor and the vertical profile of the parts on the feed conveyor may be reduced.

Abstract: An annular furnace capable of delivering precise temperature control. The furnace may also take the form of a toroid. The furnace may be employed in the heat treatment of many types of material including superconducting tape.

Abstract: A system for the heat treatment of metallic annealing material (1, 12) comprising a distributor (3) for the heating or cooling medium consisting of air or a gas, where for the formation of an oblique blast the distributor (3) has tubular or slot-shaped nozzles (4, 4a) directed against the annealing material (1, 12) possibly lying on a transport means (2). For changing the distance of the nozzle orifice from the workpiece surface, the nozzles (4, 4a) are provided with retractable extensions (5, 5a) for increasing the distance between nozzle orifice and annealing material (1, 12).

Abstract: A thermal treatment installation for treating and quenching pieces (22) of small dimensions comprises a treatment line (LT) including a treatment furnace (2) for bringing the pieces to treatment temperatures, a quenching cell (4) located downstream from the furnace, and a transport apparatus for displacing the pieces along the treatment line. The pieces to be treated are placed in baskets (20) and the baskets are grouped into charges or distinct lots forming a volume (V) having a height (H) substantially less than the other dimensions (L1, L2) of the volume. The transport apparatus comprises several driving devices (DE1, DE2, DE3, DE3' AND DE4) which are individually regulated by a regulation circuit (UC) to at least three speeds including an input speed (V1), a treatment speed (V2) and an output speed (V3) to divide the treatment line into sectors so that locally along the treatment line the baskets move at different speeds.

Abstract: A method for the forming and feeding of a gaseous atmosphere having two components, at least one of which under the form of vapour obtained from liquid, envisages to bubble a first gaseous component within a liquid component kept under controlled conditions of pressure and temperature and then to remove the gas-vapour mixture having controlled composition. In order to realise the method according to the invention, a device is foreseen that comprises a saturator reservoir containing the liquid component, means to keep the level of the liquid in the reservoir substantially constant, means to bubble a flow of gaseous component within the saturator, as well as means to control pressure and temperature inside the saturator itself. The invention can be applied in particular to the forming of carburizing atmospheres and of atmospheres used in thermal treatments of steel materials, specially gas carburizing treatments.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rack containing a casting that includes a core, a heating chamber that includes a vibration structure for vibrating the rack and in a lower portion thereof a first sand discharge structure for discharging sand falling from the casting for removing casting sand and core sand adhering to the casting while heat treating the casting, and a cooling chamber that includes a water tank for immersing the rack containing the casting, an elevator structure for lowering the rack into the water tank and lifting the rack out of the water tank, an oscillation structure for oscillating the rack when the rack is in the water tank, and a second sand discharge structure for discharging sand falling onto a bottom of the water tank for washing off casting sand and core sand adhering to the casting ejected from the heating chamber while cooling the casting.

Abstract: Fresh gas is blown into the ring-shaped space between the annealing charge and the hood as an upwardly directed high-speed jet (9) at a velocity of approximately 80 m/s. The gas mixture which forms is evacuated through a gas outlet (10) arranged in the pedestal and diametrically opposite to the gas inlet. At a volume flow rate of about 130 m.sup.3 /s, rinsing takes about 6 minutes.

Abstract: Conventional methods for heat treating cylindrical components such as track bushings involve multiple steps. For example, many such methods consist of carburizing, cooling, induction-hardening, quenching, and tempering. The conventional methods have proved to be costly because different heat treating apparatus are required. This causes duplicate handling and wasted manufacturing time. The present invention provides an apparatus 30 for heat treating a bushing 10 simultaneously from an outer peripheral surface 12 and the pair of inner circumferential surfaces 20.

Abstract: High-temperature belt-type furnace apparatus utilizing a silicon carbide continuous belt design is disclosed.

Abstract: An annealing base for hood-type annealing furnaces comprises a support (6) receiving the annealing goods, in particular stacked sheet metal coils. The support (6) rests on the distributor (4) of a central fan (5). The vertical fan axis is surrounded by a thermally insulating filling member (3). The load of the distributor (4) is transmitted by means of a supporting structure (9, 10) through the filling member (3) to a frame member (2) supported on the foundation (1). The filling member (3) consists of insulating wool or the like gas-tightly encapsulated in sheet metal. To avoid the formation of cracks in the filling member (3) during the annealing process, a stronger shaped ring (9) adapted to the bottom surface of the distributor (4) is inserted in the sheet metal constituting the capsule of the filling member (3), which shaped ring constitutes the supporting structure by means of two concentric sheet metal cylinders (10) connecting the same with the frame member (2).

Abstract: A hybrid furnace includes a vacuum furnace for heat treating a workpiece and a transportable oven removably attached to the vacuum furnace for holding the workpiece and maintaining it at an elevated temperature. The workpiece is transferred from the vacuum furnace to the transportable oven under an inert atmosphere to prevent the workpiece from being exposed to an oxidizing atmosphere or from undergoing a phase transition. The transportable oven is adapted to be detached from the vacuum furnace and transported to a work station for further processing of the workpiece. Heating means is provided in the transportable oven to maintain the temperature of the workpiece above a preselected warming temperature while the workpiece is waiting to be processed.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for reclaiming substantially pure sand from a heat treating furnace; wherein a casting with sand core and/or sand mold, comprising sand bound by a combustible binder, attached thereto is introduced into the heat treating furnace; or, wherein portions of sand core and/or sand mold that are not attached to a casting are introduced into the heat treating furnace. Wherein, the reclaiming within the furnace is carried out, in part, by a fluidizer that promotes binder combustion by one or more process of agitating, heating, and oxygenating. Wherein, the characteristics of the reclaimed sand are selectively controlled by controlling the dwell time of the sand within the heat treating furnace.

Abstract: A rigid ceramic refractory base for a single-stack annealing furnace is assembled atop a base support structure utilizing a novel set of cast refractory segments, including a pair of C-shaped inner segments and four arcuate outer segments. Defined between the assembled inner and outer segments is a circular inner seal positioning trough that opens upwardly, and that has a tapered cross section that narrows with depth. A resilient but reinforced inner seal of novel form is installed in the trough utilizing upper and lower blankets of refractory fiber material that sandwich a plurality of elongate refractory fiber modules arranged end-to-end to circumferentially fill the trough.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for heat treating metal castings with sand cores provides for removal of the sand core and recovery of the sand core material for reuse. The method and apparatus eliminate the need for removing the sand core from the casting prior to heat treatment and thus eliminate the labor, expense, and possible damage to the casting incidental to conventional core removal techniques such as chiseling and shaking. The method involves heating the casting with sand core therein to a temperature sufficient to burn off the binder component of the sand core. The sand comprising the sand core is then blown out of the casting by directing a flow of air over the workpiece. The sand thus dislodged is then collected for reuse. According to the disclosed apparatus, the castings are heated in a furnace having fans for directing a flow of air over the workpieces.

Abstract: An apparatus for magnetic annealing of amorphous metal alloy cores. The apparatus includes a fluidized bed for heating the core, a conveyor for transporting the core and immersing the core in the fluidized bed and at least one winding for applying a magnetic field to the core. The apparatus can include a chill bath and/or a second fluidized bed for cooling the core. A chamber can be provided between the two fluidized beds for slow cooling the core by convection and radiation prior to cooling the core at a faster rate in the second fluidized bed.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for heat treating metal castings with sand cores provides for removal of the sand core and recovery of the sand core material for reuse. The method and apparatus eliminate the need for removing the sand core from the casting prior to heat treatment and thus eliminate the labor, expense, and possible damage to the casting incidental to conventional core removal techniques such as chiseling and shaking. The method involves heating the casting with sand core therein to a temperature sufficient to burn off the binder component of the sand core. The sand comprising the sand core is then blown out of the casting by directing a flow of air over the workpiece. The sand thus dislodged is then collected for reuse. According to the disclosed apparatus, the castings are heated in a furnace having fans for directing a flow of air over the workpieces.

Abstract: In a furnace operated with hydrogen gas as a cooling gas under positive pressure for the hardening of metallic workpieces, with a housing (2) enclosing a heating chamber for accepting a batch of workpieces, this housing being connected to a vacuum pump and being openable by way of a bottom housing cover (3) Cooling gas is circulated through gas outlets and outlets opening into the heating chamber by the impeller of a motor-blower unit. A heating system is provided on the bottom section (78) of a batch table (8) supported on the housing cover (3) and rotable around a vertical axis (A). A grate formed of bars (34) is mounted above the heating system (37) for supporting the batch of workpieces, and insulating plates (43, 44) are installed underneath the heating system (37).

Abstract: A heat treatment process in a roll type furnace for metal articles, in which the articles are heated in stages up to 800.degree.-850.degree. C. in several pre-heating zones with atmospheres containing free oxygen; the articles are heated in a high temperature zone in a reducing atmosphere containing no free oxygen and run through this zone relatively quickly; the burners of the high temperature zone are timed with high and low power periods, depending on the quantity of articles supplied and the amount of heat to be transmitted; rolls of the furnace are set in the high temperature zone at a short distance from each other; and baffle plates between the zones are set at the smallest possible distance from the rolling track or the articles on the rolling track. The burners are located above and below the rolling track.

Abstract: In the heat treatment of heat treatable material in an industrial furnace, in particular for the annealing of annealable material such as, for example, aluminum strip wound into a coil (1), by means of blowing of the annealable material with hot gas jets (8) issuing from nozzles (7), in order to insure a very good and uniform heat transfer from the hot gas stream to the material and a completely uniform temperature distribution in the coil (1), and also the rapid heating thereof, without any need to fear locally partial overtemperatures in the coil, it is proposed in accordance with the invention to move the annealable material such as, for example, the coil (1), and the hot gas jets (8) relative to one another, for example by means of the fact that the coil (1) and/or the hot gas nozzles (7) are rotated about the coil axis, so that the blowing impingement points of the hot gas jets (8) move on the blown surface of the annealable material and all desired portions there can be swept in controlled fashion.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed, which serves to contact with a flowing gas two mutually opposite, substantially flat and substantially circular annular surfaces of an annular cylindrical workpiece having an inside diameter not in excess of a predetermined maximum inside diameter. The apparatus comprises an oven housing, which contains two mutually opposite plenum chambers, which are defined by respective side walls which are spaced apart in an axial direction and define between them an oven chamber adapted to accommodate said workpiece in a position in which each of said side walls faces one of said surfaces of said workpiece, each of said side walls being formed with orifice slot means, and a fan for supplying a gas to said plenum chambers.

Abstract: A heat treat furnace system 20 for heat treating metal workpieces includes a rotary carburizing chamber 24 containing a carburizing atmosphere, a cooling chamber 40A or 40B adjacent the carburizing chamber 24, a gas barrier device 50 cooperating with the cooling chamber opening and the carburizing chamber outlet for impeding movement of atmosphere therethrough; and transfer mechanisms for operatively moving at least one selected workpiece from the carburizing chamber 24 to the cooling chamber 40A or 40B and vice versa, and from the cooling chamber 40B to the equalizing chamber 26 and vice versa. The carburizing chamber 24 has a circular rotatable hearth for supporting an array of workpieces, and an inlet for loading the workpieces into the carburizing chamber 24. The cooling chamber 40A or 40B also has means for providing a protective atmosphere within it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for diffusion of elements into or out of small metallic particles, the apparatus consisting of a sealed retort 22 horizontally mounted on an axle 36 with the retort subtended in the interior of a heating device 11. Gas and pressure controls communicating through said axle 36 control the interior atmosphere of the retort 26. Small particles 23 to be modified are placed within the retort 22 and the retort is rotated and heated while maintaining the desired gaseous atmosphere. Rotation causes fluid-like tumbling of the particles resulting in uniform heat transfer, thorough mixing and engenders an exchange of ions between the surface and near surfaces of said particles and the atmosphere of said retort or between the particles and other material placed within said retort.

Abstract: A method of heat treating an amorphous metal alloy by immersing the alloy in a fluidized bed to heat the alloy to a temperature below its recrystallization temperature. The alloy is maintained in the fluidized bed for a time sufficient to reduce internal stresses While minimizing crystal growth and nucleation of crystallites in the alloy. Then, the alloy is removed from the fluidized bed and cooled. A magnetic field can be applied to the alloy before, during or after heating the alloy in the fluidized bed. The magnetic field is applied for a time sufficient to achieve substantial magnetic domain alignment while minimizing crystal growth and nucleation of crystallites in the alloy. The cooling step is effective to maintain the magnetic domain alignment in the alloy. The cooling step can be performed with a chill bath or a fluidized bed which is cooled by a circulating gas such as nitrogen or air. The alloy can be slowly cooled by convection and radiation after it is removed from the first fluidized bed.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat-treating metallic workpieces, which includes two successive furnaces, a feeding device for feeding workpieces to the first furnace, and conveyor means from transporting workpieces from the first to the second furnace. Both furnaces are equipped with gas-tight inlet and out doors. The conveyor means are also gas-tight. The furnaces are each equipped with means for controlling temperature, dwell time and atmosphere.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for protecting extruded metal powder green bodies (34) during firing are provided. In certain embodiments, one or more green bodies (34) are housed in a non-gas tight chamber (13) located in the hot zone (24) of a cold-wall vacuum/atmosphere furnace (10). Furnace gas, e.g., hydrogen, is supplied to the interior of the chamber (13). The resulting one-way flow out of the chamber (13) protects the green bodies (34) from the backflow of burn-out products, as well as from contaminants arising from the walls and internal components of the furnace (10). In other embodiments, green bodies (34) are housed in individual non-gas tight containers (36). The containers (36) minimize the amount of furnace gas which comes into contact with the green bodies (34) during sintering and thus minimize the level of exposure of the green bodies (34) to oxidative impurities in the furnace gas. When composed of the same material as the green bodies, the containers (36) also perform a getter function.

Abstract: Hydrogen storage alloys was successfully prepared by the spontaneous reaction synthesis process. The steps of the spontaneous synthesis process comprises: (a) premixing high H adsorption powder(A), low H adsorption powder(B), catalyst powder(C) with fuel element(D) in an amount corresponding to the atomic ratio of said hydrogen storage alloys, (b) pressing and forming the premixing powders to a predermined density; (c) placing the mixture of step (b) to a spontaneous sysnthesis reactor under protecting environment; (d) preheating the mixture at a temperature of about from 300.degree. to 600.degree. C.; and (e) partially igniting the mixture at a temperature higher than the melting point of the powders used in step (a) to propagate the spontaneous synthesis reaction.

Abstract: In a vacuum heat treating oven operating with hydrogen under pressure as the cooling medium, especially for the quenching of greatly heated metal workpieces (5), a method is provided for the automatic control of the progress of the process and for monitoring safety of operation. The housing (4) of the heat treating oven is for this purpose connected to gas inlet lines (9 and 10), one for the admission of the cooling gas and one for the admission of the flushing gas (H.sub.2 and N.sub.

Abstract: A blackening treating furnace includes a soot generation burner for blowing an incomplete combustion flame toward a surface of a cold-rolled stainless steel strip moving continuously through the furnace. A pair of secondary air nozzles installed at positions enclosing the incomplete combustion flame blow secondary air toward the surface of the stainless steel strip in directions perpendicular thereto or in directions slightly inclined toward the middle of the incomplete combustion flame. A flame guide air nozzle is installed between the pair of secondary air nozzles and an exhaust duct for drawing and discharging the combustion reaction flame of the incomplete combustion flame and secondary air along the direction of movement of the stainless steel strip. The flame guide air nozzle injects flame guide air toward the combustion reaction flame in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the stainless steel strip or in a direction inclined thereto.

Abstract: The present invention presents a method and an apparatus for heat treating a metallic material by performing hydrogen absorption in or desorption from the metallic material. The method includes the steps of recovering the hydrogen gas released from a desorption step and recycling it to a hydrogen absorbing step. Hydrogen recovering can be performed either in a device containing a hydrogen absorbing alloy or in a second heat treating furnace containing the metallic material. Various controlling devices are used to regulate the process of heat treating and recovering of hydrogen gas.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for heat treating metal castings with sand cores provides for removal of the sand core and recovery of the sand core material for reuse. The method and apparatus eliminate the need for removing the sand core from the casting prior to heat treatment and thus eliminate the labor, expense, and possible damage to the casting incidental to conventional core removal techniques such as chiseling and shaking. The method involves heating the casting with sand core therein to a temperature sufficient to burn off the binder component of the sand core. The sand comprising the sand core is then blown out of the casting by directing a flow of air over the workpiece. The sand thus dislodged is then collected for reuse. According to the disclosed apparatus, the castings are heated in a furnace having fans for directing a flow of air over the workpieces.

Abstract: An improved batch coil furnace is disclosed in that the annealing stand or base of the furnace is provided with a source for auxiliary heating or cooling of the work. A cylindrical containment wall is heated by hot burner products of combustion convectively impinging the outside surface of the containment wall. A unique jet tube impingement bundle is positioned within the base to form the recirculating cover atmosphere into jet streams which convectively impinge the inside surface of the containment wall. The furnace atmosphere is thus heated prior to being recirculated into the inner cover with the result that the temperatures of all the coils within the inner cover are more uniform. Provisions are made for cooling the outside surface of the containment wall after the coils have been heated to their transformation temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for heat treating a product. The apparatus includes a retort having a volume sized to receive a bed of fluidized particles having a predetermined elevation within the volume and a plurality of electrically powered infrared radiation sources. The sources are submerged within the bed of fluidized particles. Use of the apparatus to reclaim foundry sand is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a hardened outer shell (40) on a refractory metal workpiece (36) preferably heated in a fluidized bed of metallic oxide particles (38) in an environment of an inert gas and a reactive gas with the reactive gas either oxygen or nitrogen. The workpieces (36) are heated in the fluidized bed to a temperature between 800 F. and 1600 F. for a period of over two hours to form hardened outer shell (40) in two layers (42, 44). Outer layer (42) is an oxide or nitride layer having a thickness (T1) between 10 microns and 25 microns. Inner layer (44) is a case hardened layer of the refractory metal having a thickness (T2) between 25 microns and 75 microns. In one embodiment workpieces (56) may be cold worked by peening from finely divided metal oxide particles (54) to provide a uniform surface texture for subsequent hardening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a steel heating furnace which permits free setting of an in-furnace temperature pattern or gradient as desired. A steel heating furnace 1 includes at least one or more burner systems of regenerative heating, each being arranged to supply a combustion air and exhaust a combustion gas through a regenerative bed. Those burner systems are disposed in each of plural zones which are defined within a single furnace body, or in each of unit furnaces 2. The unit furnaces 2 are interconnected to form a single furnace body. The amount of combustion may be controlled for each zones or each unit furnaces 2 to enable free variation of in-furnace temperature per zone or per unit furnace 2 so that a desired in-furnace temperature pattern gradient in the entire furnace 1 may be set easily. The steel heating furnace 1 may be constructed with a required length and in-furnace temperature pattern, by interconnecting the unit furnaces.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring heat between workpieces and a container (10, 10A). The container (10, 10A) has particulate material (28) occupying a substantial portion of the volume of the container (10, 10A) and the container (10, 10A) is rotated to fluidize the particulate material which contacts the workpieces (30) for transferring heat between the container (10, 10A) and the workpieces (30). The container (10, 10A) is enclosed to provide a sealed volume within the container (10, 10A). A predetermined gas may be provided through an inlet (17, 31A) to the container (10, 10A) and gas may be exhausted from an outlet (16, 133A) from the container (10, 10A). The container may either be heated or cooled as desired.

Abstract: A crosshead shoe for the sliding transport on rails of a material to be annealed has, for the lateral guiding on the rails, an approximately U-shaped cross section with downwardly projecting legs. Special glide elements are provided on the side of the glide shoe which faces the glide plane, and/or the rail, which glide elements are designed so that as little wear and friction as possible occur during the movement of the crosshead shoes. The glide elements have glide surfaces for this purpose, the side surfaces of which glide surfaces are rounded and/or downwardly inclined, and/or the peripheral edges of which are associated with one another in obtuse angles or have a shape which is at least partially circular. These conditions exist, for example, in glide elements with polygonal or circular surfaces, which can be arranged in one or several rows or in a honeycomb pattern.

Abstract: It is a metal oxidation treatment apparatus for carrying out the inactivation treatment of metal tubes used especially in a super high purity gas piping system and an apparatus of super high vacuum.The support part of a support member is made as a tubular form member, and a tapered part is provided on the outer periphery thereof, and further, since a spring is mounted to be displaceable, even if fluctuation is present in the internal diameter of stainless steel tubes, it is possible to let the stainless tubes easily be supported on the support part. Also, even fluctuation of the length is present in the stainless steel tubes, the support member is always pushed to the stainless steel tubes. Oxidative gas diffusing out of the tube to be treated to the outside thereof can be released to the outside of the oxidation treatment furnace without letting it contact to the tube to be treated.

Abstract: The heat treatment system includes a plurality of small-sized heat treating furnaces, having uniform heat treatment periods which are controlled to start the heat treatments in the respective furnaces with constant time lags. A lifting device is provided in front of the furnaces for introducing and discharging the workpieces. The lifting device is provided with a plurality of arms which project toward the furnaces, for supporting the workpieces. Untreated workpieces are stored in a front pool device and carried toward the lifting device by a conveyor, so that the lifting device inserts the workpieces into the furnaces. The workpieces, upon being completely heat treated, are removed from the furnace, moved downward onto the conveyor, and carried to a back pool device by the lifting device. The above series of operations are controlled by a single control unit.

Abstract: A method of cooling steel parts from austenitic stage to a temperature that is higher than its Ms point after carburization of said steel part to carry out diffusion transformation, then carrying out a nitriding treatment and further applying shot peening, and in order to implement said method provide a carburizing zone, a cooling zone for carrying out diffusion transformation and a nitriding treatment zone connected through opening and shutting doors, and provide feeding devices in each of said zones to feed the steel parts to the next zone.

Abstract: A cooling system for the hot isostatic pressurizing equipment which is provided with valves and actuators at the lower part of the equipment so that they are not subject to thermal deformation. The valves and actuators are installed independently from each other so as to eliminate a need for increasing the diameter of the vessel.The valve is attached to a lower vent hole formed in the radial direction in the supporting cylinder installed on the inner bottom closure. The valve is energized in its closing direction by a spring and is operated by the actuator installed on the outer bottom closure detachable from the inner bottom closure.

Abstract: A dual belt furnace for heat-treating of small parts includes enclosure having a base, a pair of side walls, a top wall, front wall, and a rear wall all being connected together to form at least one heating zone. A plurality of gas burners are positioned throughout the enclosure for delivering a hot gaseous medium. A plurality of fans are mounted in the top wall of the furnace for circulating the heated gas medium within the enclosures. A first conveyor belt is arranged completely within the at least one heating zone and extends substantially between the front wall and the rear wall of the enclosure for transporting the small parts to be heat treated through the at least one heating zone to a drop zone. The second conveyor belt extends beyond the at least one heating zone and overlays the first conveyor belt so as to be supported by the first conveyor belt within the at least one heating zone for carrying the small parts to be heat treated into the at least one heating zone.

Abstract: A vertical heating apparatus comprises a casing having an opening through which a plurality of transport members receiving articles to be processed are loaded in and unloaded from the casing, a heat treating furnace provided in an upper portion of the casing, a transport member storing portion provided in the casing at a side space of the heat treating furnace, for receiving the transport members, a processing member for transporting the articles to be processed in the heat treating furnace, a transferring mechanism for transferring the articles to be processed and received by the transport members to the processing member, and a vertically moving mechanism provided below the heat treating furnace in the casing, for loading and unloading the articles to be processed and received by the processing member in and from the heat treating furnace.

Abstract: A metal oxidation treatment apparatus to form the passivation film on the surface of the metal to be oxidized such as stainless steel or the like, comprising an oxidation furnace, a gas inlet to introduce gas into said oxidation furnace, a discharge outlet to discharge the gas from said oxidation furnace, and a heater to heat said oxidation furnace to the predetermined temperature, so that the metal to be oxidized is heated and oxidized in dry oxidation atmosphere while gas is passed in said oxidation furnace.

Abstract: A gas-carburizing process wherein an article is treated by feeding a hydrocarbon gas and an oxidative gas of raw material gases directly into an atmospheric heat treating furnace, characterized in that, when the pressure within the furnace is negative, CO.sub.2 is fed as a negative pressure dissolving means.A gas-carburizing apparatus wherein a gas inlet for feeding a hydrocarbon gas and an oxidative gas provided in the ceiling part of an atmospheric heat treating furnace is provided with a CO.sub.2 feeding part for dissolving the negative pressure within the furnace.

Abstract: A metal oxidation treatment apparatus to form the passivation film on the surface of the metal to be oxidized such as stainless steel or the like, comprising an oxidation furnace, a gas inlet to introduce gas into said oxidation furnace, a discharge outlet to discharge the gas from said oxidation furnace, and a heater to heat said oxidation furnace to the predetermined temperature, so that the metal to be oxidized is heated and oxidized in dry oxidation atmosphere while gas is passed in said oxidation furnace.

Abstract: A machine for the thermo-mechanical treatment of parts made of memory alloys contains: a thermally insulated chamber connected to a source of gaseous fluid and a support, capable of being introduced into a chamber, for carrying a plurality of crowns superimposed on one another. The parts made of memory alloy are placed between the crowns where the gaseous fluid passes through. Tension is applied to the crown in a controlled operating cycle.

Abstract: A method of treating apertured plates with a gaseous medium, e.g. to produce a nitride surface layer thereon, by placing the plates in rows in a furnace and causing the gaseous medium to flow across the surfaces of the plates by circulating the medium through the furnace and deflecting the medium as it flows along the furnace walls away from the walls to give a substantially uniform flow of gas across the plate surfaces.

Abstract: A rotary oil seal gas purge system for a rotary carburizing furnace, having a rotatable hearth in a furnace chamber containing a high carbon-potential furnace atmosphere comprising an endothermic carrier gas enriched with a hydrocarbon gas, features gas purge ports located adjacent to the oil seal(s) of the hearth for injecting non-carbon-enriched endothermic gas to purge the high carbon-potential furnace atmosphere from the area adjacent the seal(s) and prevent carbon precipitation into the seal(s). Also disclosed is an oil seal management system for a rotary carburizing furnace including a settling tank for accepting seal oil from the furnace oil seal(s), a pump supply tank for receiving oil from the settling tank, a pump for pumping oil from the pump supply tank through a heat exchanger and to the furnace oil seal(s), and a centrifuge for cleaning seal oil coming from the heat exchanger before returning it to the pump supply tank.

Abstract: Installation for the hot-metallizing of small items of steel or cast iron, comprising a continuous annealing furnace (1) with a furnace chamber (2) having regulatable temperature zones, a feeding device (3) for conveyor boxes (4) to accommodate the metal parts to be metallized, conveying devices (6, 9) for transporting the conveyor boxes (4) through the annealing furnace (1) and back to a discharge device (10), a vacuum inlet gate (5), and a vacuum outlet gate (7) which are under a protective gas atmosphere. A device (11) is arranged within the vacuum outlet gate (7) for emptying the conveyor boxes (4) into circulating dip baskets (13) of a metallizing plant (12) connected to the continuous annealing furnace (1), comprising a ceramic-lined, inductively heated metal bath (14). Lifting units lower the dip baskets (13) from a circulating position (13a) into a dipping and filling position (13c) into the metal bath (14) and lift the baskets (13 ) into a position (13e) above the metal bath (14).

Abstract: A fluidized bed is disclosed for the continuous quenching of steel wires. The fluidized bed is provided with an air convection cooler with high cooling capacity. The temperature of the fluidized bed is regulated by means of a cooling air flow. Such a bed is applicable in the patenting operation, in which the carrying gas for a fluidized bed is taken from the exhaust gases of the austenitizing furnace.