There are many different types and sizes of furnaces used in heat treatment. As a general rule, furnaces are designed to operate in certain specific temperature ranges and attempted use in other ranges frequently results in work of inferior quality.
In addition, using a furnace beyond its rated maximum temperature shortens its life and may necessitate costly and time consuming repairs.
Fuel fired furnaces (gas or oil) require air for proper combustion and an air compressor or blower is therefore necessary. These furnaces are usually of the muffler type; that is, the combustion of the fuel takes place outside of and around the chamber in which the work is placed. If an open muffler is used, the furnace should be designed to prevent the direct impingement of flame on the work.
In furnaces heated by electricity, the heating elements are generally in the form of wire or ribbon. Good design requires incorporation of additional heating elements at locations where maximum heat loss may be expected. Such furnaces commonly operate at up to a maximum temperature of about 2,000 °F. Furnaces operating at temperatures up to about 2,500 °F usually employ resistor bars of sintered carbides.
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