Integration of the 'Sub Zero'-treatment into vacuum hardening processes and subsequent advantages

摘要

The vacuum heat treatment with overpressure gas quenching is more and more accepted due to considerable advantages compared to the traditional oil and salt bath processes.Continuous further development and new concepts like multi-directional cooling systems, a separate quenching chamber and "sub zero" systems lead towards an oxidation free and low distortion vacuum heat treatment for a broad range of parts and materials.Short and energy saving processes guarantee a high economic efficiency and environmental compatibility.The vacuum furnace with a separate quenching chamber offers many advantages like a higher quenching speed and a more efficient use of energy (ref.1,2).The "sub zero" system, which is integrated into the standard vacuum furnace achieves a heat treatment result with a high conversion of retained austenite in fully automatic hardening and tempering processes.