4 Common Industrial Applications Of Annealing
Annealing is a vital heat treatment process used by experts in diverse industries to improve machinability, magnetic, and electrical properties in metals like copper, cast iron, and steel. It also comes in handy when manufacturers need to induce softness and produce refined grain in said materials. If you wonder whether your industry requires this process, this piece will enlighten you on the same. Below are some of the industries that heavily rely on annealing.
1. Aerospace
The aerospace industry needs numerous components crucial in aircraft manufacture. These include heat-treated bolts used to fasten different parts. Annealing is one of the processes used to dissolve coarse chromium carbides present in aircraft components such as bolts. That is crucial since these particles negatively impact toughness and corrosion resistance. The aerospace industry cannot tolerate that because aircraft corrosion leads to stress accumulation and crack propagation. These issues eventually decrease airframe material's mechanical characteristics. The consequences of corrosion in airplanes are even direr when they affect landing gear and wheel well components because when these parts malfunction, catastrophic accidents become imminent.
2. Automotive
Annealing is essential in the automotive sector because it increases the workability and flexibility of numerous materials used in this industry. Plus, it boosts surface brightness. That is why manufacturers looking for top-notch surfaces with a lustrous finish, and zero-carbon deposits heavily rely on this technique. The most commonly used metallic components that demand heat treatment processes like annealing to function optimally include cylinder heads, engine blocks, gears, suspensions, rocker arms, and crankshafts. Otherwise, technicians in the automotive sector would face serious challenges manufacturing tough, high-strength metallic structural components without annealing.
3. Metalwork
If you are a metalworker and need a heat treatment process for altering metals' mechanical and physical properties, try annealing. It may also prove indispensable in increasing flexibility and decimating internal stresses. Everything mentioned above is important because working with metal is often an impossible task without the appropriate treatment of materials like steel. Besides, annealed metals and glass are softer and workable and therefore don't damage or wear machinery and tools excessively. Plus, you can use this process to make materials more conductive by improving their electrical properties.
4. Construction
Construction workers are well aware of the risks and costs of working with easy-to-break glass. Homeowners avoid it too because it can't last long, especially in a household with children or pets. Fortunately, if you are in the construction industry, you can hire annealing service providers when you need hard-to-break glass for a particular project. In addition, annealing metal offers you the opportunity to build using ductile, workable metal, thereby cutting the time, labor, and resources required to complete a given construction project.
For more information on annealing, contact a professional near you.
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