How to Heat Treat D2 and A2 Steel for Precision Metal Stamping Operations

Lucifer Furnaces, Inc. (Warrington, PA) recently delivered a general purpose box furnace to a manufacturer of precision metal stampings in the Midwest region of the U.S. The Model HL7-M24 has chamber dimensions of 12 in H x 18 in W x 24 in D and heats to 2,300 deg F. Powered at 15 kW, heat is supplied through easy to replace, coil-wired heavy duty heating elements in V-grooved radiant panels on sides, back and door of the furnace. Insulation includes 5 in of hot faced insulating firebrick, with cold faced mineral wool block behind. The roof is lined with ceramic fiberboard to eliminate cracking potential. A 1 in thick cast hearth plate protects floor insulation and provides a flat work surface. This furnace was customized with an air-operated vertical lift door activated via foot treadle, enabling the door to raise to any height. Safety features include a microswitch to auto-disengage power to the heating elements when door is opened.

Temperature is controlled with a Honeywell digital time proportioning temperature controller supplemented with an overtemp controller to guard against high limit excursions. Other special features include three timers: a Soak Timer for regular timing functions, an Input Timer for lower temp operation and a 7-Day Timer for auto furnace start up/shutdown. The furnace is used to heat treat D2 and A2 steel under air atmosphere and is part of Lucifer’s standard, general purpose Series 7000 box furnace lines.

Lucifer Furnaces, Inc., 2048 Bunnell Road, Warrington, PA 18976, 800-378-0095, [email protected], www.luciferfurnaces.com.