The Positive Effects of Bright Annealing Non-Ferrous Metals

08 September 2022

Many industries today use metals in generating the parts and products they need. One reason why metals are often used by industries is they can be managed conveniently. And by applying the right processes, they can easily possess the properties they need.

One process that metals typically undergo is heat treatment. Heat treatment is a general process wherein metal materials are heated without allowing them to melt. They are then cooled in a controlled way, ensuring that they attain the desired mechanical properties. Some heat treatment techniques are meant to make them stronger, while others intend to make them malleable, more ductile, or more resistant to elements like abrasion.

Key Properties of Non-Ferrous Metals

One group of metals that undergo heat treatment is non-ferrous metals. Tons of products being used by industries and even households today are packed with non-ferrous metals. These metals do not possess iron in huge amounts, providing them better resistance to rust and corrosion compared to the ferrous ones. Another quality of non-ferrous metals is they have great malleability, which allows them to be shaped or extended without any issues. Ultimately, these metals are non-magnetic, making them useful for electronic and wiring applications.

Many metal elements belong to the non-ferrous classification. These elements include aluminium, lead, copper, tin, titanium, zinc, and lead. Copper alloys such as brass and bronze are also part of the non-ferrous classification. One common thing about these metal elements and alloys is they are all used in many residential, commercial, and industrial applications.

Bright Annealing Non-Ferrous Metals

Various heat treatment processes can be carried out on non-ferrous metals. But one distinct process that these metals can take advantage of is bright annealing.

Bright annealing is a heat treatment process wherein non-ferrous metals are subjected to a nitrogen-hydrogen atmosphere. When determining the proportion of hydrogen in the said atmosphere, workers would have to assess the material and process temperature. They must also adjust the said proportion depending on the desired properties of the metals.

An atmosphere dominated by nitrogen will not generate any noteworthy reactions to the non-ferrous metals. The protective gas then eliminates oxidising gases from the process chamber. And as the hydrogen content of the furnace temperature increases, the surface oxidation of the involved metals decreases significantly.

But to make this heat treatment process successful, the furnace used for this process should be clean and free from moisture. The non-ferrous metals must also be dry and clean. 

Main Advantages of Bright Annealing

What is great about bright annealing is it can boost the corrosion resistance of non-ferrous metals by a huge percentage. The corrosion resistance of these metals can be improved as the process can eliminate intergranular carbide precipitation. This process can also improve their surface finish as well as reduce their buffing costs. The original metal lustre of non-ferrous metals and other metal types is even preserved and maintained through bright annealing. Bright annealing should be conducted by experts so that non-ferrous metals can boast these advantages. To know more about this process, you can call us at Alpha Detroit Heat Treatment.

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