Pearlitizing
Pearlitizing is mainly used on cast iron workpieces in order to produce a fully or partially pearlitic microstructure, thereby improving strength, and, if necessary, to bring about an equalization of material properties in the case of different material thicknesses (and thus different cooling times during production).
In the first step, the workpiece is annealed between 850 and 920 °C to achieve austenitization (carbon saturation) of the microstructure, for which a holding time of one hour is usually sufficient.
In the second step, cooling takes place in still or moving air. The decisive factor here is the correct cooling rate, which must not be too slow in order to avoid ferritization, but also not too fast in order to prevent the formation of hardening microstructures (martensite) (which, after all, is specifically brought about in hardening by rapid quenching).
Once the perlite formation process is complete, stress relief annealing often takes place immediately (before the material has cooled down completely) in order to reduce the risk of cracking in delicate components and to save energy.
Of course, Kittec also offers suitable kilns and controls for Pearlitizing. In our product overview you will find, for example, our annealing and hardening furnaces section. In this context, we would like to refer in particular to our model series CLM, CLU and CLL, as well as to our CTH model series bogie hearth furnaces.
Depending on the application, we can also develop completely individual solutions for you. Our special construction experts will be happy to advise you individually and help you find a suitable solution from our large product range.
For more than 40 years, we have been specialists in kilns for a wide range of applications, from private use to industrial production. We will be happy to advise you personally which of our kilns is best suited to your needs. Our selection of kilns varies in design, size and desired temperature range.