40%
Energy Saving vs Brick-Lined
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±5°CTemperature Uniformity
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2-YearWarranty Coverage
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80+Countries Served
Overview
Precision Annealing in
a Clean Vacuum Environment
Vacuum annealing eliminates oxygen and moisture from the entire process cycle — heating, soaking, and cooling all take place under high vacuum. The result is a bright, oxide-free surface finish with precisely controlled microstructure, without any post-process cleaning or acid pickling.
Built Around Molybdenum Rod Heating
The molybdenum rod heating element is the core of this furnace. Compared to graphite elements, molybdenum produces zero carbon contamination at any temperature — making it the correct choice for materials where surface chemistry and cleanliness are critical, such as titanium alloys, nickel superalloys, and high-purity stainless steels.
The multi-layer stainless steel radiation shield insulation, combined with a double-wall air-cooled furnace shell, keeps the outer shell surface below 50°C during full-power operation — ensuring operator safety and reducing heat loss.
The 7-inch touchscreen HMI provides real-time heating curve display, process program storage, and alarm management — giving operators full visibility and control over every stage of the annealing cycle.
Typical Annealing Processes
Stress relief annealing — eliminates residual stress from machining, welding, and
cold forming
Recrystallization annealing — restores ductility in cold-worked strip and drawn
wire
Full annealing & spheroidizing — softens tool and die steels for improved
machinability
Solution treatment — prepares stainless steels, nickel alloys, and titanium for
aging
Bright annealing — oxide-free surface finish for non-ferrous metals and precision
stainless
Degassing & hydrogen embrittlement relief — for plated or acid-pickled
components
Process Advantages
Why Vacuum Annealing Outperforms
Atmosphere Annealing
Compared to protective-atmosphere furnaces using nitrogen or hydrogen, vacuum annealing provides a higher degree of surface cleanliness and eliminates any risk of gas-metal reactions — critical for reactive and high-value alloys.
Bright, Oxide-Free Surface
Processing under 7×10⁻³ Pa vacuum completely removes oxygen and moisture. Parts exit the furnace with a clean, bright metallic surface — no oxidation, no discoloration, no post-process cleaning required.
Zero Carbon Contamination
Molybdenum rod heating elements produce no carbon at any temperature. For titanium alloys, nickel superalloys, and medical-grade materials where carbon pickup would alter mechanical properties, this is a critical advantage over graphite-heated furnaces.
Precise, Programmable Thermal Cycle
The 51-segment programmable temperature controller manages heating rate, soak time, and cooling rate with ±3°C accuracy — ensuring the correct microstructural transformation at every stage of the annealing cycle.
Minimal Distortion
Uniform radiant heating from the molybdenum element array, combined with slow, controlled cooling, produces symmetrical thermal gradients throughout the workpiece — significantly reducing distortion compared to open-atmosphere or salt-bath annealing.
Cool Outer Shell — Safe Operation
The double-wall air-cooled furnace shell, constructed from high-strength carbon steel with electrostatic powder coating, keeps the outer surface below 50°C during full-power operation — protecting operators and reducing ambient heat load in the workshop.
Scalable to Large Workpieces
Standard chamber sizes cover workpieces up to 600×600×900 mm. Custom configurations are available up to 1.8×3 m for large structural components, long shafts, and oversized aerospace parts.
Technical Specifications
Full Performance Parameters
All furnace sizes share identical performance ratings. Chamber dimensions and load capacity scale with the size you select.
Thermal Performance
- Maximum Temperature 1350°C
- Temperature Control Accuracy ±3°C
- Heating Rate <20°C/min (recommended)
- Program Segments 51 segments
- Heating Element Molybdenum rods
Vacuum Performance
- Ultimate Vacuum 7×10⁻³ Pa
- Power Supply 380V, 3-phase, 50Hz
- Cooling Method Furnace cooling + inert gas assist
Furnace Construction
- Insulation Multi-layer stainless steel radiation shields
- Shell Material High-strength carbon steel
- Shell Finish Acid wash + phosphating + powder coat
- Shell Surface Temp. <50°C during operation
- Control Interface 7-inch color LCD touchscreen
Service & Delivery
- Max Custom Chamber Size 1.8 × 3 m
- Warranty 2 years (complete machine)
- Lead Time — Standard 35–45 working days
- Lead Time — Custom 55–65 working days
Size Selection Guide
Choose the Right Chamber Size for Your Parts
All sizes deliver identical performance specifications. Select by your largest workpiece envelope and target batch weight. Custom sizes up to 1.8×3 m are available.
| Chamber Size | Heating Zone (W×H×D) mm | Est. Load Capacity | Power | Power Supply | Ultimate Vacuum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small BR-QHM-223 |
200 × 200 × 300 | ~30 kg | 42 kW | 380V | 7×10⁻³ Pa |
| Medium-Small BR-QHM-334 |
300 × 300 × 400 | ~80 kg | 72 kW | 380V | 7×10⁻³ Pa |
| Medium BR-QHM-446 |
400 × 400 × 600 | ~200 kg | 120 kW | 380V | 7×10⁻³ Pa |
| Medium-Large BR-QHM-557 |
500 × 500 × 700 | ~350 kg | 160 kW | 380V | 7×10⁻³ Pa |
| Large BR-QHM-669 |
600 × 600 × 900 | ~600 kg | 225 kW | 380V | 7×10⁻³ Pa |
Load capacity values are estimates based on chamber volume. Actual capacity depends on workpiece geometry and loading configuration. Custom chamber sizes up to 1.8×3 m are available — contact our engineering team with your workpiece drawings.
Design Features
Engineering Details That Matter
Every component is selected and engineered to deliver consistent, repeatable results across the full service life of the furnace.
Molybdenum Rod Heating Elements
High-purity molybdenum rods provide uniform radiant heating with zero carbon emission. Excellent high-temperature stability ensures consistent performance across thousands of cycles without dimensional change or contamination risk.
Multi-Layer Stainless Steel Radiation Shield
The all-metal insulation system uses multiple layers of stainless steel foil radiation shields. No organic binders, no outgassing — maintaining clean vacuum integrity throughout the entire process cycle.
7-Inch Touchscreen HMI
The color LCD touchscreen displays real-time heating curves, process status, and alarm conditions. Operators can create, edit, and store process programs directly on the controller — no separate programming terminal required.
51-Segment Programmable Temperature Curve
Up to 51 independently configurable segments per program allow precise control of heating rate, soak temperature, soak time, and cooling rate — accommodating the most complex multi-stage annealing specifications.
Double-Wall Air-Cooled Furnace Shell
High-strength carbon steel construction with acid wash, phosphating, and electrostatic powder coating. The double-wall air-cooled design keeps the outer shell surface below 50°C — safe to touch during full-power operation.
Fully Automated Control System
The PLC-based control system automates the complete process cycle from pump-down through heating, soaking, and cooling. Safety interlocks, fault diagnostics, and alarm logging are all hardware-independent of the main temperature controller.
Material Compatibility
Materials Processed in
Our Vacuum Annealing Furnaces
The molybdenum hot zone and high-vacuum environment make this furnace compatible with virtually all metallic materials — including those that are reactive, carbon-sensitive, or require ultra-clean surface conditions.
Tool & Die Steels
Full annealing and spheroidizing to reduce hardness and improve machinability before machining or re-hardening.
H13 · D2 · M2 · P20Titanium Alloys
Stress relief and recrystallization annealing in a carbon-free vacuum environment — essential for maintaining titanium's surface integrity.
TC4 · TA15 · Ti-6Al-4VNickel Superalloys
Solution annealing and stress relief for high-temperature alloys used in aerospace turbines and industrial gas turbines.
IN718 · IN625 · GH4169Stainless Steels
Bright annealing and solution treatment with oxide-free surface finish — no post-process pickling or passivation required.
304 · 316L · 17-4PHMagnetic Materials
Stress relief annealing of silicon steel, soft magnetic alloys, and permanent magnet materials to optimize magnetic permeability.
Silicon steel · PermalloyRefractory Metals
High-temperature annealing of molybdenum, tungsten, and tantalum components in a clean vacuum environment above 1200°C.
Mo · W · Ta · NbFrequently Asked Questions
Common Questions About
Vacuum Annealing Furnaces
Answers to the questions our customers ask most often about the vacuum annealing furnace.
Why use a vacuum annealing furnace instead of a protective atmosphere furnace?
Protective atmosphere furnaces use nitrogen or hydrogen to prevent oxidation, but trace gas-metal reactions can still occur — particularly for reactive metals like titanium or alloys with tight surface chemistry requirements. Vacuum annealing removes all gas from the heating environment entirely, providing a higher degree of cleanliness than any gas atmosphere can achieve. For materials where surface composition must be preserved exactly as-designed, vacuum is the only reliable option.
Why are molybdenum rod heating elements used instead of graphite?
Graphite heating elements release trace carbon into the furnace atmosphere at high temperatures. For carbon-sensitive materials — titanium alloys, nickel superalloys, medical-grade stainless steels — this carbon pickup can alter surface chemistry and degrade mechanical properties. Molybdenum rods produce zero carbon at any temperature, making them the correct choice for high-purity and reactive material processing. Molybdenum also provides excellent dimensional stability and long service life at temperatures up to 1350°C.
What is the maximum workpiece size this furnace can accommodate?
Standard models cover heating zones from 200×200×300 mm up to 600×600×900 mm. For larger workpieces — long shafts, large structural components, or oversized aerospace parts — custom chamber configurations are available up to 1.8×3 m. Contact our engineering team with your workpiece dimensions and we will design the appropriate configuration.
What site utilities are required for installation?
Typical utility requirements are as follows. Exact values depend on the furnace size selected:
- Power supply: 3-phase, 380V / 50Hz; installed power 42–225 kW depending on size
- Cooling water: Closed-loop circuit for vacuum pump and electrical components
- Inert gas: High-purity N₂ or Ar (≥99.999%) for assisted cooling if required
- Floor loading: Reinforced concrete floor per foundation drawing
- Ventilation: Adequate workshop ventilation for vacuum pump exhaust
A full site preparation checklist is provided upon order confirmation.
What after-sales support is provided?
All vacuum annealing furnaces are covered by a 2-year warranty on the complete machine. Brother Furnace provides on-site installation and commissioning, operator training, and a spare parts package with each unit. Remote diagnostics and extended service contracts are available upon request.
What materials can be processed in this furnace?
The furnace is suitable for a wide range of metallic and advanced materials, including titanium alloys (Ti-6Al-4V and similar grades), nickel-based superalloys, medical-grade and high-purity stainless steels, tool steels, die steels, copper alloys, and refractory metals. It is particularly well suited to any material where surface oxidation, decarburization, or carbon pickup during heating would compromise the final mechanical or chemical properties.
How is temperature uniformity maintained across the entire load?
Temperature uniformity of ±5°C across the working zone is achieved through the all-round arrangement of molybdenum rod heating elements, which provides radiant heating from multiple directions simultaneously. The multi-layer stainless steel radiation shield insulation minimises thermal gradients within the chamber. For complex or dense loads, the 51-segment programmable heating profile allows slow heating rates and intermediate soak stages to be inserted, ensuring the entire batch reaches thermal equilibrium before the target temperature is applied.
What is the typical service life of the molybdenum heating elements?
Under normal vacuum or inert gas operation, molybdenum rod heating elements have a service life of 24–36 months with continuous production use — significantly longer than graphite elements due to molybdenum's superior high-temperature stability. Service life depends on operating temperature, cycling frequency, and avoiding accidental air ingress when the furnace is hot. All heating elements are modular and can be replaced on-site without returning the furnace to the factory. Replacement element specifications and installation procedures are provided in the user manual.
Can process data be recorded and exported for quality traceability?
Yes. The PLC-based control system logs all process parameters — including time, temperature, vacuum level, and alarm events — throughout every cycle. Data can be exported via USB for inclusion in quality management records, batch reports, or customer documentation. This traceability capability is particularly valued by customers operating under ISO 9001, AS9100, or medical device manufacturing standards, where full process records are a mandatory requirement.