Annealing steel tubes in an inert atmosphere

Objective

To heat steel tubes to 2000 ºF (1093 ºC) in an inert atmosphere 

End Product

steel medical tube

Equipment

• Ambrell 1.2 kW induction heating system, equipped with a remote workhead containing one 1.0µF capacitor.

• An induction heating coil designed and developed specifically for this application. 

Materials

0.1” (2.54mm) diameter stainless steel tube

Temperature

2000 ºF

Frequency

323 kHz

Testing

A two turn concentrator coil is used to heat the stainless steel tube. The annealing process takes place in an inert atmosphere to prevent oxidation. The stainless steel tube is placed in the inert atmosphere and heats to 2000 ºF (1093 ºC) in 15 seconds to achieve the desired characteristics. 

Benefits

• Fast, controllable process
• Heat very small areas within precise production tolerances
• Hands-free heating that involves no operator skill for manufacturing
• Even distribution of heating

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