HEAT TREATMENT IN NITROGEN ATMOSPHERE FURNACES FOR RADIOFREQUENCY EQUIPMENT PARTS

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Some parts of austenitic stainless steels structures which must operate with radiofrequency in ultra high vacuum need to be machined with very high precision and need to have a copper plating treatment. The heat treatment for stress relief due to machining proposed by the major research centres is performed by vacuum furnaces, that do not damage the structure of the material, but these ovens are very complex and unusual, especially for large pieces. To facilitate this process and reduce its cost is proposed to realize in common furnaces of inert atmosphere. But it is necessary to perform the tests of intergranular corrosion susceptibility and adhesion of copper, to validate the change of the process. Keywords: Stainless steel pieces, stress relieving heat treatment, surface treatment of copper plating, corrosion test, adhesion test.