Learn more about our Atmosphere Humidification System.
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Atmosphere Humidification System
Obtain and maintain the optimal dew point for your operation
The Atmosphere Humidification System is easily installed into the existing gas supply to the furnace. A portion of the nitrogen is humidified and then re-introduced into the main gas stream for the furnace. This helps maintain a protecting surface oxide layer on stainless steel belts to improve their life, and reduce quality issues on parts such as materials sticking, soot formation and poor infiltration. The low-cost, easy-to-install Atmosphere Humidification System effectively controls dew point within a specified range for optimum performance.
Download Air Products' Atmosphere Humidification System brochure
Atmosphere Humidification System
- Excellent control of surface oxides
- Provides an optimum level of humidification to the furnace atmosphere
- Consistent quality control
- Controls humidification level within a specified dewpoint range over a wide range of ambient temperatures
- Simple and cost effective to implement and operate
- Does not require incremental atmosphere flows and therefore does not change the flow balance and dynamics within the furnace
Ask the Expert
Don Bowe
Applications Engineer
“How can I extend the life of stainless steel belts used in our continuous sintering furnaces?”
This is a question that comes up frequently when troubleshooting for oxidation in a continuous furnace atmosphere. The rising price of nickel, and therefore stainless steel, has made belt life longevity more important than ever. While many variables—including the belt alloy, initial break-in procedure, wire gauge and tracking—impact the life of a stainless steel belt, you can realize dramatic improvements by adjusting the sintering atmosphere.
Air Products' patented atmosphere process technology has been shown in field service to extend the life of stainless steel belts used in sintering powder metal parts. In general, the atmosphere provides a protective oxide coating on the stainless steel belt while remaining carbon-neutral to your parts. The oxide layer reduces the carbon and nitrogen pickup and helps maintain the desired mechanical properties of the belt. In industry service, the use of this technology has resulted in extending the life of stainless steel mesh belts from 25% to more than 50% over the life that is typically experienced in N₂-H₂ sintering atmospheres. The results of extended belt life: reduced maintenance, less furnace downtime and fewer belts to replace.
Atmosphere Humidification System Installation
The humidification system can be easily installed into the existing gas supply piping to the furnace. A side stream of the nitrogen gas is humidified and then reintroduced into the main gas stream for the furnace.
Service Life Extension of Stainless Steel Wire Mesh Belts for Sintering Furnaces
A humidification system that establishes a furnace atmosphere to maintain a protective oxide scale on the belt surface and creates a reducing environment for the sintered metal parts.