We have a large stress relieving furnace capable of handling very large jobs: 3150 mm x 1900 mm x 1450 mm (high)
Stress relieving of steel components and welded fabrications is an important process step in the manufacture of many steel components.
It is usually done after rough machining but before final machining or a finishing operation such as gear cutting, grinding or polishing.
Parts that have tight dimensional tolerances must be stress relived if those tolerances are to be maintained after further processing.
Welded fabrications can be made stress-free by stress relieving.
Non-ferrous alloys, copper, brass and aluminium, are stress relieved at a wide variety of temperatures related to alloy type and condition.
Stress Relieving
Carbon steels and alloy steels can be given two forms of stress relief:
- Treatment at typically 150°- 200°C relieves peak stresses after hardening without significantly reducing hardness (flame, induction or case-hardened components)
- Treatment at typically 600°- 680°C (after welding, rough machining, bending) provides virtually complete stress relief. Parts should be heated and cooled at a controlled rate to prevent stresses due to temperature difference.
Post Weld Stress Relieving
A typical post weld stress relieving cycle involves the following:
- load into furnace at less than 200°C
- raise temperature of furnace to 600°C at a rate not exceeding 100°C per hour
- hold at 600°C for one hour per 25mm (1 inch) of section
- furnace cool to less than 200°C at a rate not exceeding 100°C per hour
- air or furnace cool to room temperature.