Application of vacuum annealing furnaces on AISI 430 stainless steel

2026-02-12 10:00

1. Introduction

AISI 430 is a ferritic stainless steel with a chromium content between 16% and 18%.Its notable characteristics include strong magnetism and the absence of expensive nickel, thus offering a significant cost advantage while maintaining good corrosion and oxidation resistance. In industrial applications, its excellent thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion coefficient make it widely used in appliance panels, automotive trim, and magnetic induction components in MIM (Metal Injection Molding) processes. It is an ideal material choice that balances aesthetics, magnetic functionality, and cost-effectiveness.

AISI 430 stainless steel components material structure and application forms

2. Parameters

Vacuum annealing is crucial for AISI 430 stainless steel, as it effectively eliminates processing stress and restores material toughness.While maintaining a bright, non-oxidized surface, it significantly improves corrosion resistance and magnetic permeability.

The main steps for vacuum annealing of AISI 430 stainless steel are as follows:

1. Preheating: 500-600℃, holding for 30-60 minutes.
2. Heating: Raise the temperature to 780-850℃ at a rate of 10℃/minute.
3. Holding: 815-845℃, holding for 1-4 hours.
4. Cooling: Slow cooling from 845℃ to 500℃.

Rapid cooling: From 500℃ to room temperature, using nitrogen/argon gas for rapid cooling

3. SIMUWU Vacuum Annealing Furnace Configuration

SIMUWU RVA-8812 vacuum annealing furnace is equipped with a Siemens S7-1200 PLC, and combined with its extensive process library and robust furnace structure, it can perform this process fully automatically and flawlessly. The specific parameters are as follows:

Furnace type	Horizontal , single room, internal circulation
Loading method	Front loading
Max. loading weight	1000kg (Including jig)
Ultimate vacuum (cold furnace, after drying and degassing)	Better than 6*10-³ pa
Working vacuum	6×10-²pa
Power supply	3 Phase 380V (±5% );50Hz
Pressure rise rate (cold and empty furnace)	≤ 0.5 Pa/h
Effective working zone ( WxHxL )	800×800×1200mm
Max.design temperature	900℃
Working temperature	850 ℃
Temperature uniformity	9 points temp testing (±5℃) (standard AMS 2750F)
Temperature control accuracy (℃)	S type thermocouple ≤ ±1 ℃
Temperature control instrument accuracy (℃)	≤ 0.1 ℃
Heating zone	3 Zones separate temperature control
Empty furnace heating rate	0~25℃ /min (adjustable and controllable rate)
Time to heat the workpiece to the required temperature	≤ 60 min
Temperature uniformity (vacuum, empty furnace, 500-1250℃)	± 5 ℃
Cooling motor power	18.5 KW
Temperature control method	Intelligent programmable temperature controller for automatic temperature control
Control method	PLC automatic/manual interlock protection control
Max. inflation pressure	＜2 bar(absolute pressure)
Cooling method	Air cooling/natural cooling
Cooling gas	Nitrogen or argon (purity: 99.99% or 99.999%)
Cooling rate (empty furnace 1200℃~150℃)	≤ 30 min
Partial pressure pressure	50-2000Pa manual and automatic control
Operation model	Manual/Automatic control
Equipment color	Customized