New furnaces
July 1st 2004 The Rolls Wood Group has increased its heat treatment capabilities with the addition of two special electric furnaces from Carbolite. They will be used for accurate controlled diffusion and solution heat treatment of turbine blades and nozzle guide vanes at the companys Aberdeen hq.
Both furnaces are top-loading units with inconel alloy retorts, 600 by 1000mm high internally, that allow the use of gas atmospheres. One unit has a maximum nominal temperature of 1200C and is designed for use with argon; the other heats to 1250C and can be used with argon and hydrogen if a surface cleaning effect is needed.
Components are placed in a cake-stand type jig for loading into the retort from above. After fitting a gas-tight water-cooled sealing flange, the retort is lifted by crane and lowered into the chamber. An operator then starts a pre-set programme or sets a new one. More articles from Carbolite: | 
