Vaakumkuumtöötlus

Vaakumkuumtöötlus is a heat treatment process carried out in a vacuum environment. This method is primarily used for metals and alloys that are sensitive to oxidation or decarburization at high temperatures. The absence of oxygen and other reactive gases in the vacuum furnace prevents the formation of surface oxides, scale, or the loss of carbon from the material's surface. This results in a clean, bright, and scale-free surface finish after the treatment.

The process involves heating the workpiece to a specific temperature within a sealed vacuum chamber. The vacuum level is critical and maintained at a very low pressure, typically in the range of 10^-3 to 10^-6 Torr or lower. The high temperature causes the desired microstructural changes, such as hardening, annealing, or stress relieving, depending on the material and the specific heat treatment cycle. After holding at the treatment temperature for a defined period, the workpiece is cooled, often also within the vacuum chamber to prevent re-oxidation or contamination.

Vaakumkuumtöötlus offers several advantages, including superior surface quality, improved mechanical properties due to the absence of surface defects, and precise control over the heat treatment process. It is widely employed in industries such as aerospace, automotive, tool manufacturing, and medical devices, where high-performance materials with stringent surface finish requirements are essential. Common materials treated include tool steels, stainless steels, titanium alloys, and superalloys. The specific temperature, time, and vacuum level are tailored to the material composition and the desired outcome.