Process for annealing metal work pieces in a hydrogen-enriched protective atmosphere in a continuous furnace

摘要

The invention relates to a process for annealing metal work pieces in a protective hydrogen gas in a furnace, wherein, to reduce the amount of protective gas required and as an additional process parameter, gas with a higher density than hydrogen is blown into the leakage openings of the continuous furnace, for example and in particular at the inlet (11) and outlet (4) of the furnace and is thus mixed with the protective gas situated there, whereas in the rest of the continuous furnace the hydrogen-enriched protective atmosphere is maintained in accordance with the heat treatment to be carried out. IMAGE