Abstract: A method and a device for the heat treatment of metal materials in an industrial furnace involves a heating chamber having a treatment chamber and a quenching chamber utilizing protective gas and reaction gas.

Abstract: A process for heat treating metal workpieces contains with respect to an efficient process control the following successive operations following directly one after the other: a heating phase; an enrichment phase; a first cooling phase; a bonding phase; a second cooling phase; and a concluding quenching phase. Workpieces processed by a method of this type are distinguished by a comparatively great fatigue limit and fatigue strength with simultaneous high resistance to wear and tear.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to create a method that is as accurate and reliable as possible for metrologically determining the end of a test interval (PI) which is to be maintained to perform a periodical test on pressure vessels (1) subject to load variations within operating cycles (AZ). Said aim is achieved by a method in which the maximum working pressure (p) actually reached inside the pressure vessel (1) per working cycle (AZ) is measured by means of a pressure sensor (2), a load variable (BG) is determined per working cycle (AZ) based on the working pressure (p) measured per working cycle (AZ), a resulting load value (BW) is determined for several successive working cycles (AZ) based on the respective load variables (BG) determined per working cycle (AZ), and the resulting load value (BW) is compared to a predefined comparative value (VG)).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for heat-treating metal work pieces, whereby a cooling gas flow is produced in a vacuum furnace by means of a fan, driven by a three-phase AC motor, in order to quench the work pieces. The aim of the invention is to improve the heat treatment of metal work pieces in such a manner as to improve the quenching in a simple and inexpensive manner. For this purpose, the three-phase AC motor comprises first three-phase windings designed for a lower supply voltage and second three-phase windings designed for a higher supply voltage. The three-phase AC motor is operated with the first three-phase windings until a minimum pressure defined in terms of the motor output is reached in the vacuum furnace and with the second three-phase windings until a minimum pressure defined in terms of the motor output is reached or exceeded in the vacuum furnace.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the thermal treatment of metallic workpieces with which gas quenching can be obtained that is low in distortion, even for workpieces with an undulating shape or workpieces that are projectingly stackable are provided. In accordance with the method, after being heated the workpieces are cooled in a quenching chamber with a quenching gas, whereby the quenching gas is intentionally caused to flow around the workpieces by means of guide channels that have a closed lateral surface and that enclose the workpieces along the direction of flow of the quenching gas. The apparatus comprises a quenching chamber in which the workpieces can be cooled with a quenching gas, and wherein guide channels are provided to ensure that the quenching gas flows around the workpieces, the guide channels having a closed lateral surface and enclosing the workpieces along the direction of flow of the quenching gas.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for blacking components. In order to develop a method which creates black surfaces on components which are not inclined to peal off, and in which no fluids or baths are used which are expensive to produce, maintain or dispose of, it is proposed that the surfaces of the component are subjected to a heat treatment with simultaneous administration of a carbon-emitting medium inside the processing space. Furthermore, the invention concerns a device that can be operated using the method of the invention.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the measurement of the amount of a component that is released from a gaseous atmosphere during the thermo-chemical treatment of metallic work pieces.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the measurement of the amount of a component that is released from a gaseous atmosphere during the thermo-chemical treatment of metallic work pieces.

Abstract: In order to refine a method for electric heating of furnaces for heat treating metallic workpieces, especially vacuum furnaces usable for plasma carburizing or nitriding, in which the heater elements of a furnace are supplied with a heating voltage that is generated in the secondary circuit of a three phase transformer connected to the three phase power network such that a comparatively small reactive power component can be obtained in a simple and economical manner, it is proposed that the primary coil windings of the three phase transformer be switched in the delta connection during a first heating phase and in the star connection during a second heating phase, whereby the switchover time from the delta connection to the star connection is determined as a function of operating parameters characteristic for the heating process.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting metallic work pieces includes a heat-insulated transport chamber, means for loading and unloading the work pieces, and transporting gear. To enable the flexible and efficient transport of the work pieces among a number of treatment chambers in an arrangement of this type during a heat treatment process, the transport chamber is designed to be vacuum-tight, such that it can be evacuated of air to create a vacuum that will protect the work pieces from environmental influences. In addition, a system for heat treating metallic work pieces, comprising at least two treatment chambers in which the work pieces can be heat treated, is characterized in that an arrangement of this type can be coupled to the treatment chambervia a transfer canal that can be evacuated.

Abstract: A method is provided for the thermal treatment of metal workpieces in a gas atmosphere containing nitrogen, in particular for nitrocarburizing iron articles. In order to obtain enhanced resistance to wear and corrosion in the treated workpieces, the nitrogen and carbon content present in the connecting layer of the case of the treated workpieces are intentionally adjusted by appropriately selecting the nitride coefficient KN and the carburizing coefficient KC of a reaction gas that contains ammonia, whereby hydrocarbons are added to the reaction gas for producing a relatively high carbon content in the connecting layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for heat treatment of metal workpieces obtain a substantially uniform nitride layer, even in workpieces comprising high alloy iron articles. The following method steps are provided: a) heating the workpieces to a temperature between 400° C. and 500° C. in a gas atmosphere comprising only ammonia; b) continuing to heat the workpieces to a temperature between 500° C. and 700° C. in a gas atmosphere containing ammonia and an added oxidizing agent; c) maintaining the workpieces at this temperature and in this gas atmosphere for a period of between 0.1 hour and 5 hours; d) continuing to maintain the workpieces at this temperature for a period of between 1 hour and 100 hours in a gas atmosphere containing ammonia or containing ammonia and a carbon-releasing substance; and, e) cooling the workpieces to room temperature.

Abstract: A method for plasma carburization of metal workpieces in a furnace includes the step of introducing a mixture of propane and methane into the furnace atmosphere. The propane and methane mixture is cleaved under process conditions of plasma carburization to release pure carbon into the furnace atmosphere.