The heart of T H Machine's inline bright annealing process is the induction heating of stainless steel tubing at approximately 2,100 deg F in a reducing atmosphere of dry hydrogen. At this temperature, the hydrogen combines with oxygen in the chrome oxide, and reduces or removes any oxide on the OD surface of the tube. The end result of this reduction creates water vapour which must be continuously exhausted or the bright annealing process will stop and the tube will exit the annealing chamber with a blue oxide. Several advantages arise from the fact that the system is an inline process. For example, in tube and pipe production the bright annealing process eliminates the pickling operation. T H Machine says users have experienced savings in time, labour, machinery, toxic waste treatment and plant space.
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