Abstract: An apparatus for the heat-treating of a heat-hardenable steel cruciform article having a weld seam includes a heating element to heat the weld seam to a point that an austenitic transformation occurs, and a quenching chamber to cool the weld seam, causing the formation of Martensite and an associated expansion. The quenching is rapid since slow quenching may allow a crystalline phase other than martensite to form. The apparatus may comprise rollers operable to convey the welded cruciform article through the apparatus at a speed such that the weld seam is subjected to heating for a predetermined heat time sufficient to cause a formation of martensite there within, and such that the heated portion reaches the quenching chamber and is quenched to create a substantial amount of martensite, e.g., an amount sufficient to cause expansion of the part.

Abstract: A metal heat treatment method includes quenching a workpiece by blowing an inert gas onto the workpiece, adjusting the temperature of the inert gas to approximately an isothermal holding temperature of the workpiece for transformation of the workpiece, holding the isothermal holding temperature within a margin of error of approximately plus or minus five degrees Celsius for a given period, and performing a metal heat treatment with the isothermal holding temperature kept statically or dynamically by varying the temperature of the hot-gas.

Abstract: One or more of the following quenching methods and apparatus: a quenching press for quenching a steel ring, a method of quenching a steel ring, a corresponding set of quenching dies for quenching steel rings, a die handling tool and related method to lift the corresponding set of quenching dies, and a die handling apparatus to load and unload dies to a quenching press.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace adapted to cool a load. The vacuum furnace has one or more means for cooling a fluid and a muffle substantially comprised of carbon fiber composite and substantially containing the load. The fluid flows in a substantially unidirectional flow substantially within the muffle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for processing a metal body which can turn a metal structure of the metal body into a finer grain structure thus obtaining the high strength and the high ductility. In a method or an apparatus for processing a metal body which turns the metal structure of the metal body into the finer grain structure by forming a low deformation resistance region where the deformation resistance is locally lowered in the metal body and by deforming the low deformation resistance region by shearing, using a non-low deformation resistance region forming means which forms a non-low deformation resistance region by increasing the deformation resistance which is lowered in the low deformation resistance region, the non-low deformation resistance region is formed along the low deformation resistance region.

Abstract: Manufacturing heat-treatable wrought metal plate having length, width and thickness directions and an engineering properties gradient along at least one plate dimension. Rolled, extruded or forged wrought metal plate is solution heat treated and rapidly cooled. The cooled plate is aged by heat treatment for time to arrive at different tempers across at least one plate dimension (length or width). Controlled heat-input into the plate along its length direction raises plate temperature above ambient temperature to temperature T1, and a temperature gradient is applied between temperature T2 and T3, wherein T2>T3, across at least one direction of the plate by controlled heat-input into the plate from one side (width or thickness) of the plate to temperature T2 and controlled cooling to temperature T3 from the plate at the opposite side of the controlled heat-input, and ageing the plate while applying the temperature gradient between T2 and T3.

Abstract: A structure for casehardening a fixture of a guide plate of a chain saw is disclosed and comprises: a metal member being larger than the guide plate and having a slot, the dimension between the two edges of the slot being a sum of the dimension of the outer figure of the guide plate and the dimension of a tolerance, the tolerance being defined as an allowable electrode discharging distance; and at least one cooling structure being disposed around one of the edges utmostly and only having one inlet and one outlet, other useless opens being sealed by sealing structures.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus of producing a dual-phase galvanized steel strip with improved formability while maintaining a high tensile strength. The present invention comprises a step of cooling and a step of reheating. In the cooling step, the galvanized steel strip has a temperature reduction of from about 300° C. to about 150° C.-250° C. This step of cooling should cool to a maximum extent of about 150° C. different between the initial temperature and the final temperature. This cooling may be accomplished by a hot water quench, or the use of a cooling tower, or other means. The step of reheating should follow the step of cooling. The step of reheating should heat the galvanized steel strip to a temperature of about 340°-390° C. This reheating causes the martensite in the galvanized steel strip to be tempered at a relatively low temperature, which reduces the Fe—Zn phase formation in the GI-coating.

Abstract: A system for heat treating a metal product has an annealing zone having a first preselected atmosphere condition, a cooling zone having a second preselected atmosphere condition different than the first preselected atmosphere condition, and a blueing zone having a third preselected atmosphere condition different than the first and second preselected atmosphere conditions. A graphical user interface allows an operator select one of the zones for displaying processing information pertaining to the selected zone. The processing information includes a computed ratio of gaseous hydrogen H2 (g) to water vapor H2O (g) for the respective preselected atmosphere condition. The graphical user interface allows an operator to control the respective preselected atmosphere based, at least in part, upon the computed ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for cooling hot steel plate applied for controlled cooling of hot steel plate, obtained by hot rolling, while processing it constrained by constraining rolls and obtaining a steel material excellent and uniform in shape characteristics and provides a method of arranging and setting spray nozzles enabling uniform cooling in a direction perpendicular to processing and provides a method of arranging and setting spray nozzles of a spray cooling apparatus using two or more types of nozzles differing in amounts of water and spray regions to obtain a broad range of adjustment of amounts of water, wherein the spray nozzles are arranged so that a value of an n power of the impact pressures of the cooling water sprayed from the spray on the cooling surface integrated in the processing direction between pairs of constraining rolls becomes within ?20% of the highest value in the direction perpendicular to processing, where, 0.05?n?0.

Abstract: Treatment process for stainless steel bars, in particular a solution quenching, to be performed directly in-line downstream of the rolling mill which makes it possible to obtain a material devoid of intergranular corrosion and with microstructural characteristics suitable for subsequent uses. Advantageously, said process also makes it possible to improve the productivity of the entire rolling plant. The treatment is suitable to be performed on austenitic, ferritic, or austeno-ferritic stainless steel bars, Al—Cu alloy bars, Nickel alloy bars, and all other alloys requiring rapid cooling in order to prevent undesired phase precipitations. Prevention of intergranular corrosion obtained with the treatment process of the invention makes it possible to prevent problems, and relative costs, during surface treatment of the bars and those that could occur in final use.

Abstract: The technology described herein provides a method and system to prevent iron oxide formation and decarburization during strand heat treating of a steel product without the subsequent required use of acid pickling, which has associated health and environmental risks. Additionally, this technology provides placing a coating, such as copper plating, to the surface of a steel wire prior to strand heat treating to avoid both iron oxide formation and decarburization through the surface of the steel wire by preventing interactions between the steel wire and the furnace atmosphere. To remove oxides formed by the plating metal, the oxides are chemically reduced by passing the steel wire through a reducing gas, electrolytically reduced by plating with the wire anodic, mechanically reduced through the use of brushes, or the like, or chemically reduced by acid pickling.

Abstract: Heat-treating of rolling elements for bearings; according to the treatment, the rolling elements are guided in a row from an entrance to an exit and are heated during the movement towards the exit by induction heating.

Abstract: A diffuser (24) for an annealing furnace has a plurality of radially extending generally and vertically oriented vanes (40) for radially directing furnace gases. The vanes have top edges (42) defining a generally planar support and the top edges of the vanes have a notch (38) therein for receiving a conduit (34) preferably ring shaped that extend substantially around a center portion of the diffuser plate. The conduit (34) is connected to an inlet (32) for receiving enriching gases and exit ports (50) circumferentially space about said conduit (34) passing the enriching gases into the diffuser (24) to be mixed with ambient furnace gases.

Abstract: Coil winding method for steel bars providing, at the outlet of the rolling mill (2), cooling stages by means of WB (4?, 4?, 4??) and equallsation in air so as to perform “soft” hardening on the bar which generates a microstructure consisting, on the surface, of martensite and bainite and, in the center, of ferrite and pearlite, and winding of the bar in the form of a compact coil by means of a coil winder (5). In the position wound on the coil, the bar cools slowly with tempering of the bainite and martensite formed on the surface. This is followed by a straightening stage, jo performed during the coil unwinding phase, and a natural ageing stage, maintaining the bar at ambient temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a hot rolled steel strip including a transfer means comprising transfer rolls to feed a steel strip which has been hot rolled by a finishing mill; a cooling means for cooling the steel strip; and accompanying rolls arranged with a clearance over the thickness of the steel strip at a position where the accompanying rolls face the transfer rolls through the steel strip to be transferred. The accompanying rolls rotate at nearly an equal peripheral speed as the transfer rolls or at a peripheral speed greater than the transfer speed of the steel strip.

Abstract: The present invention is a manufacturing system for alloys containing rare earth metals which presents oxidation of alloy during production, facilitates thermal history control of the alloy, and efficiently produces alloys of a uniform structure. The manufacturing system includes a melting furnace for melting a starting material alloy, solidifying means for continuously solidifying an alloy melt into alloy flakes, crystal structure controlling means for controlling the alloy crystal structure, and cooling means for cooling the alloy flakes. These components are operable in an inert gas atmosphere. The crystal structure controlling means includes a conveying device having a delivery space for continuously delivering the alloy flakes from the solidifying means to the cooling means, for the conveying device has temperature regulating means for regulating the temperature of the delivery.

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: Apparatus and methods are provided for cooling workpieces. A cooling gas is directed toward a surface of a workpiece. The cooling gas includes at least a first component that is gaseous at a reference ambient condition and a second component that is a liquid at the ambient condition. The second component may be delivered as a gas or as droplets.

Abstract: In a high temperature/high pressure vessel for treating a workpiece placed in the interior of the vessel at a high temperature and a high pressure wherein piano wire is wound under tension round an outer periphery of a cylindrical body to apply a compressive residual stress to the cylindrical body and axial openings of the cylindrical body are tightly closed with upper and lower lids so that the lids can be disengaged from the openings, the cylindrical body is constituted as a two-layer cylindrical body comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder which is fitted on the inner cylinder through plural spacers arranged along an outer periphery surface of the inner cylinder, allowing cooling water flow paths to be formed each between adjacent such spacers so as to extend from one end side to an opposite end side of the tow-layer cylindrical body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for cooling a steel plate comprising the steps of: forming a water pool with jets of cooling water being injected to impinge on one another by using one slit nozzle and a plurality of induced laminar flow nozzles, the slit nozzle being provided in a position on an upper surface side of the steel plate, and the induced laminar flow nozzles being provided in a position on a lower surface side of the steel plate along a transfer direction and a direction perpendicular to the transfer direction; and passing the steel plate into the water pool, wherein when a top portion of the steel plate passes over the induced laminar flow nozzles located at least on the side of highest upstream, a volume of the cooling water to be injected from each of the induced laminar flow nozzles is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sintering aluminium-based sintered parts which are, initially, guided with the aid of a transport system T through a de-binding area (3) before being guided through followed by a sintering area (2) and finally being guided through a cooling area (4). Inert gas atmosphere prevails in the sintering area (2), provided with an oxygen content, corresponding to a thawing point of, maximum, 40° C. The sintered parts (23) are heated to the required sintering temperature of 560-620° C., by means of convection, whereby the inert gas atmosphere is accordingly heated, flowing around said sintered parts in a corresponding manner.

Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a hot rolled steel strip comprising a transfer means arranged behind a final finishing mill, the transfer means comprising a plurality of transfer rolls for transferring the steel strip; at least one upper surface cooling means arranged at an upper surface side of the transfer means for cooling the steel strip by ejecting cooling water to an upper surface of the steel strip, the upper surface cooling means being capable of moving freely up and down and having a water breaking means at least at an outlet side of the cooling apparatus and at a position corresponding to the transfer rolls; and at least one lower surface cooling means arranged at a lower surface side of the transfer means relative to the upper surface cooling means and the steel strip to be transferred, for cooling the hot strip by ejecting cooling water at a lower surface of the steel strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing nonferrous metal alloy includes a first liquid metal sodium tub, a second liquid metal sodium tub, and a carrier. The first liquid metal sodium tub stores liquid metal sodium at about 450° C., and heats the nonferrous metal alloy rapidly to put the nonferrous metal alloy in a solid solution state. The second liquid metal sodium tub stores liquid metal sodium at about 120° C., and cools the nonferrous metal alloy rapidly to suppress growth of a Guinier-Preston (G-P) zone in the nonferrous metal alloy while in the solid solution state. The carrier, such as a guide roller, carries the nonferrous metal alloy from the first liquid metal sodium tub to the second liquid metal sodium tub. Crystal structures in the nonferrous metal alloy can be miniaturized while preserving grating defects generated in crystal structures of the nonferrous metal alloy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the thermal tempering of at least parts of the cross section over the lengthwise extension of sequentially produced profiled rolling stock from the rolling heat.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooling element, in particular to be used in connection with furnaces and the like related to metal production processes, said element comprising a housing (1) provided with a channel system (2) for cooling water circulation. At least part of the cooling element surface that may get into contact with molten metal is made of steel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cooling roll which can provide bonded a magnet having excellent magnetic properties and having excellent reliability. A melt spinning apparatus 1 is provided with a tube 2 having a nozzle 3 at the bottom thereof, a coil 4 for heating the tube and a cooling roll 5 having a circumferential surface 53 in which gas expelling grooves 54 are formed. A melt spun ribbon 8 is formed by injecting the molten alloy 6 from the nozzle 6 so as to be collided with the circumferential surface 53 of the cooling roll 5, so that the molten alloy 6 is cooled and then solidified. In this process, gas is likely to enter between a puddle 7 of the molten alloy 6 and the circumferential surface 53, but such gas is expelled by means of the gas expelling grooves 54.

Abstract: The present invention relates a train of in-line continuous manufacturing equipment for producing steel wire, considered difficult with a block mill up to now, capable of efficiently carrying out controlled-rolling and slow-cooling by an effective in-line combination of controlled rolling apparatuses and slow cooling apparatuses, having a hot rolling mill for steel wire, a winder to wind the rolled steel wire into rings, bundling apparatuses to pack the wound steel wire into bundled coils and an in-line heat treatment furnace to slow-cool the steel wire bundled into coils, which are sequentially connected, and using, preferably, a block mill with an area reduction rate of 25 to 60% having at most 4 roll stands as a final finish rolling mill of the hot rolling mill.

Abstract: A system and method for inductively heating and then quench hardening a portion of a workpiece, such as a several threads of a screw or bolt are disclosed. The system includes a conveyor system having a rotary conveyor for separating, aligning, and transporting each of the workpieces in aligned succession through an induction heater positioned about the rotary conveyor to heat-treat at least a portion of each of the workpieces. A sensor determines whether a workpiece is heat-treated to a minimum temperature and causes an ejector to separate heat-treated workpieces that have reached the minimum temperature from heat-treated workpieces that have failed to reach the minimum temperature. The separated workpieces are then quenched in a tank & separately removed automatically.

Abstract: A hot rolling line and a hot rolling method capable of finer refining crystal grains are provided. Specifically, the hot rolling line for a metal sheet is composed of a finish rolling mill, a leveler, and a cooling apparatus installed from upstream to downstream in this sequence in a metal sheet transporting direction. The hot rolling method is such that, in the above hot rolling line, a metal sheet obtained by finish rolling a metal piece is subjected to repeated bending processing by the leveler and then cooled.

Abstract: A cooling element designed particularly for furnaces, said element comprising a housing (1) mainly made of copper, and a channel system (6) provided in the housing for cooling medium circulation. At least on a part of the surface of the element housing (1), there is arranged, by means of a diffusion joint, a corrosion-resistant surface layer (2). The invention also relates to a method for arranging said surface layer in the cooling element.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating artificial atmospheres in a furnace for the heat treating of materials. The furnace includes a substantially isolated chamber having a discharge receiving orifice for accepting a bi-phasic cryogen into a hot/work zone of the chamber. A low pressure cryogen source feeds a bi-phasic inert gas into the chamber in order to allow the volumetric expansion of the evaporating liquid constituent of the bi-phasic cryogen to purge a substantial portion of the ambient oxygen from the chamber and to allow a substantial residual concentration of the inert gas to blanket the process area without significant dissipation during the heat treating process. Oxidizable materials heat treated in artificial atmospheres generated by use of bi-phasic cryogens show no signs of scaling or staining through the process and thus do not need to undergo acid bathing prior to subsequent processing.

Abstract: A method for heat-treating steel, which method uses a coolant having a large coefficient of heat transfer and which method treats the steel at low cost and in an environment-friendly manner (no pollution), and an apparatus for the method. The heat-treatment method cools austenitized steel in a coolant, which is a mixture of solid particles and water. It is desirable to cool the steel by passing it through a deposited layer of the solid particles in the water. It is desirable that the solid particles be oxides or graphite powders. It is also desirable to fluidize the solid particles. One type of the heat-treatment apparatus submerges steel in a coolant bath described below. The coolant bath comprises (a) a liquid bath that contains water and (b) a solid-particle bath that is partitioned in the liquid bath by a mesh and that contains solid particles. The mesh has openings smaller than the particle diameter of the solid particles.

Abstract: A lower surface cooling box 12 is arranged between transfer rolls 11 on a runout table 3 and an upper cooling box 14 moving freely is arranged at a position corresponding to the cooling box 12 to eject cooling water to the steel strip symmetrically in the vertical direction. The steel strip passes the center of convergence of cooling water from upper and lower surfaces of the steel strip. A water breaking roll 16 is provided elevating freely at least at the outlet side rotating at the same peripheral speed as the transfer rolls and is rotated to lower concurrently with passing of the steel strip top at the cooling apparatus. The upper cooling box is also lowered concurrently to cool the steel strip.

Abstract: A method for quenching steel parts having undergone a low-pressure thermal processing, which consists of submitting the parts to a high-pressure air flow.

Abstract: A shielding apparatus for intercepting heat from a heating source disposed in a vertical continuous annealing furnace includes a double-walled tube having an outside atmosphere suction port projected horizontally or downward to be exposed to an outside atmosphere, and an exhaust port projected upward to be exposed to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: A shielding apparatus for intercepting heat from a heating source disposed in a vertical continuous annealing furnace includes a double-walled tube having an outside atmosphere suction port projected horizontally or downward to be exposed to an outside atmosphere, and an exhaust port projected upward to be exposed to the outside atmosphere.

Abstract: In a surface processing method for removing surface flaws, surface contaminants, and the like from a continuously cast metal product in a hot state, at least a portion of at least one metal product surface is cooled for a defined temperature decrease of a surface to be treated and a surface treatment is then performed. The device therefor has a cooling device for cooling at least a portion of at least one metal product surface for a defined temperature decrease of a surface to be treated and a surface treatment device downstream of the cooling device in the product conveying direction. The production arrangement for this has a continuous slab casting device, a heating arrangement with at least one of a heating device and a temperature equilibration device arranged downstream of the casting device. A hot mill train is arranged downstream of the heating arrangement in the conveying direction.

Abstract: A method for heat-treating metallic workpieces, in which a flow of cooling gas is generated in a vacuum furnace by a fan in order to quench the workpieces, with the fan being driven by a rotary current motor that is operated with a predetermined supply voltage above a minimum pressure in the vacuum furnace which is determined with regard to the motor power of the rotary current motor. In order to additionally develop this method such that a simple and inexpensive improvement of the quenching effect is achieved, the fan is started at a pressure in the vacuum furnace which is lower than the minimum pressure, with the rotary current motor being operated with a second, lower supply voltage until the minimum pressure in the vacuum furnace is reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling heat-treated metallic work pieces, particularly jet engine components that are normally round in shape, have a complex radial cross-section, and are subject to subsequent machining steps, includes a set of concentric air quench delivery tubes for directing a compressed air quench onto specified areas of the work piece for cooling. A first set of tubes is located above the work piece, and a second set of tubes is located below the work piece. The tubes include a multiplicity of bores around their circumference. The air quench tubes are placed in close proximity to the relatively thicker and more massive portion of the work piece, while the thinner and less massive portions are allowed to cool in normal ambient air, thereby cooling the entire part at a substantially uniform rate. Shields placed at specified locations blocks the flow of compressed air and redirect it away from the thin portions of the part.

Abstract: A quenching apparatus and a method for hardening steel parts is disclosed. The method optimizes cooling conditions preventing the occurrence of film boiling and the “self-regulated thermal process” while optimizing the depth of the hardened layer and providing increased strength for the steel part. The optimum depth of hardening is considered to be when the surface compressive stresses on the part are at their maximum value and depth. In addition, “maximum” steel strength is achieved when the cooling rate of the part is above a certain minimum level. However, additional strengthening of the part occurs when the rate of cooling avoids both film boiling and subsequent nucleate boiling, and cooling of the part proceeds directly into the convection cooling process. At the end of the quenching process, some steel parts may benefit from isothermal cooling in air, i.e., self tempering.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sintered anode unit for a solid electrolytic capacitor is provided. According to this method, a press-molded or compacted pellet of a valve-action metal powder is sintered at a predetermined high temperature and in a predetermined primary vacuum. The pellet is naturally cooled in this primary vacuum, and is cooled by force cooling in an inert gas atmosphere. Thereafter, the sintered pellet is subjected to a repeated cycle processing of vacuum, atmospheric leakage, and vacuum in a gradual-oxidizing chamber. The atmospheric leakage level is increased step by step to set the vacuum level in the gradual-oxidizing chamber to the atmospheric pressure. Then, the sintered pellet having the restricted content of oxygen is taken out from the gradual-oxidizing chamber into the atmosphere.

Abstract: A roll that can be disposed before and/or after a quenching zone of a continuous annealing furnace is provided. The roll has a predetermined profile satisfying Lc≧0.7×Wmin; R=−0.1×10−3 to +0.2×10−3; and TR≧20, wherein Lc represents the length (mm) of a flat portion in the center of the roll, Wmin represents the minimum width (mm) of a steel strip, R represents the inclination of tapered portions disposed at two sides of the roll, and TR represents the radius of curvature (m) of boundaries between the flat portion and the tapered portions. The roll can be used as a hearth roll and/or a bridle roll disposed at the entry side and/or the exit side of the quenching zone.

Abstract: Hardening is accomplished by heating a longitudinal section of a workpiece such as an odd-shaped bar, and by quenching while constraining the workpiece section in dies. The quenching is executed while the workpiece is pressed in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction by a pressing device which is installed adjacent to the workpiece section constrained in the dies. Warping by quenching can thus be minimized in odd-shaped workpieces, such as an automobile steering rack bar.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for suppressing growth of an oxide film on a coil which is a spirally wound, rolled strip are disclosed. A rolled strip subjected to rolling by hot rolling equipment is wound spirally by a down-coiler to make a coil. Covers are disposed on the opposite sides of the coil such that heat resistant materials intimately contact the opposite sides of the coil. The covers are fixed by L-bolts and nuts to cover the opposite sides of the coil with the covers. In this state, the coil is naturally cooled for a predetermined time to suppress growth of an oxide film and increase productivity.

Abstract: A process and arrangement for manufacturing brush-type seals having inclined bristles provides at least one ring-shaped brush-type seal having radially extending bristles of a length which, by way of the inclining of the bristles with respect to the radii of the ring-shaped brush-type seal leads at least essentially to the desired brush diameter; positions the at least one brush-type seal and at least one heatable annealing wall of an annealing device relative to one another so that the free bristle ends, while the bristles are bent, rest against the annealing wall, and simultaneously or subsequently rotating the at least one brush-type seal and at least the heatable annealing wall relative to one another until the bristles are inclined with respect to the radii of the ring-shaped brush-type seal in its ring plane by a definable angle; heats the annealing wall to a definable temperature; maintains the temperature of the heated annealing wall for a definable time period; and removes the at least one brush-type

Abstract: The present invention relates to a semiconductor manufacturing furnace having a heat blocker mounted to an elevating plate of the furnace. The heat blocker prevents the internal temperature of the furnace from decreasing radically when a wafer boat is lowered from the processing chamber of the furnace by the elevating plate. The heat blocker includes a sealed case, a plurality of horizontally extending heat-reflecting plates disposed in the case, and a plurality of support pins for supporting and fixing the reflecting plates in place. The heat-reflecting plates reflect heat back up into the processing chamber, as the elevating plate lowers the wafer boat, to keep the internal temperature of the heater stable. This not only enhances the productivity of the manufacturing process but also enhances the uniformity of the processed wafers.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for temper hardening flat metal products, comprising the following steps:introducing a flat product coming out of the furnace into a temper-hardening bay, depositing this flat product on supporting elements forming a lower substantially horizontal supporting table, causing a sudden cooling of the flat product in the deposited position, by spraying a temper-hardening liquid simultaneously on the whole of its upper surface and on the whole of its lower surface, removing the flat product from the temper-hardening bay, and further, before the sudden cooling, transferring retaining elements forming together a substantially horizontal retaining table to a horizontal retaining plane at a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the flat product and, during the sudden cooling, optionally retaining the flat product on the upper retaining table, within the limits imposed by the said horizontal plane. The invention also discloses a device for implementing this method.

Abstract: Method for heat treating rolled stock leaving a rolling train (12), wherein the rolled stock (13) undergoes a rapid cooling treatment in a rapid cooling assembly (11) located immediately downstream of the last rolling pass, the first cooling step being followed by a temperature-equalisation step in air and at least by a second cooling treatment before being discharged and collected, the temperature-equalisation step in air and the at least second cooling treatment being set so as not to modify the surface and inner crystalline structure of the rolled stock (13) which has formed at the outlet of the first cooling treatment, the at least second cooling treatment being followed by a short segment of temperature-equalisation in air and then directly by the collection of the rolled stock (13) into compact form, such as rolls coils bundles or packs, wherein the slow cooling of the rolled stock (13) collected in compact form leads to the transformation of the crystalline structure in the stable structures.

Abstract: An air quenching system for cooling heated parts under controlled conditions having cooling air ejection nozzles located in opposed relation on opposite sides of the heated part and air exhaust orifices adjacent the air supply nozzles for quickly removing the cooling air after engagement with the heated part. The cooling air, and exhausting thereof, may be controlled in various zones spaced along the length of the air quenching system for controlling air flow and the rate of cooling.