Argon Treatment of Steels, Irons, & Non-Ferrous Alloys
Del Sol has sold porous plug technology coupled with induction furnace melting for many years. This process, while very inexpensive, is highly efficient.
Why use argon treatment of metals?
- To clean the metal of solid and semi-solid inclusions.
- To reduce dissolved gas content.
- To keep your furnace walls and floor cleaner, reducing labor and lengthening campaigns.
- To homogenize furnace / metal temperatures.
- To drastically improve mechanical properties of your metals and test bars.
How does argon treatment work?
We embed a specially designed porous plug beneath the furnace lining. The plug is attached to an inert gas supply (either argon or nitrogen). We use special regulators and flow meters to control and safely use the pressurized gas.
Once a furnace lining is well sintered, we initiate gas flow.
You can use the gas just at the end of the heat after the first spectrometer reading is taken, or for the entire heat of your alloys are especially slaggy or prone to oxidation.
Video of Argon Treatment
Watch for the bubbles coming through the surface. These bubbles are argon that has worked its way through the lining, through the metal, and ultimately to the surface. These bubbles bring with them slag and disolved gasses.