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Solution Anneal Solution Anneal Solution Anneal Solution Anneal

Solution Anneal

Typical steels treated:

Duplex UNS12345
Supaduplex UNS12345


This high temperature process is applied generally to the Stainless / Exotic range of steels at temperatures from 1000 deg c up to 1180 deg c depending on chemistry.

Con Mech are able to reach quickly if required these elevated temperatures or programmable ramp rates should the component require it. Very importantly we load onto Ni /Cr furnace trays (RA330) to provide good support at high temp and no risk of cross contamination from carbon steel along with openness of tray to allow free movement of heat during the heating cycle and quenchant during the quench cycle.

Dependant on the grade, section and final mechanical requirements either Air Cool, Rapid Air Cool, Polymer Quench or Water Quench are chosen.

  1. Air Cool - Con Mech have dedicated Still air cooling tables inside the building free from draughts to allow all round consistent air cooling to produce evenly throughout the steel the required properties.
  2. Rapid Air Blast - Slightly faster than Air Cool, large cooling fans above and below the load can increase cooling rates to achieve properties greater than that of just Air Cooling but still keep down distortion.
  3. Polymer Quench - Even faster than Air Blast cooling, Polymer offers an intermediate quench rate between Air & Water. Good and consistent agitation produces high properties but most importantly fast transfer combines to give the ultimate quench characteristics.
  4. Water Quench - The fastest of all the quench mediums, Con Mechs water quench is the ultimate in quench technology. Offering consistent low water temperature, rapid immersion, above and below load high agitation, oscillation, accurate temperature control of the water between 10 deg c and 30 deg c, water management and above all fast transfer time guarantees the ultimate potential of the Alloy is always reached.

Storage

All stainless grades of steel are stored in a special Stainless Steel Area free from carbon steel contamination.   Due to the high value of stainless steel this area is under constant CCTV surveillance.

Health & Safety

Con Mech meet all the current legislation regarding Water & Polymer processes and under the umbrella of NALCO carry out 6 monthly legionella checks backed up by 3 monthly laboratory analysis.  Con Mech also carry out internally their own weekly dip slide checks.

All heat treated products are removed from furnace and transported by charging machine safely to quench and cooling tables in a controlled manner.  Full risk assessments have been carried out and are available on request.