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Conducting Temperature Uniformity Surveys of Furnaces Used To Heat Treat Steel Products
Conducting Temperature Uniformity Surveys of Furnaces Used To Heat Treat Steel Products
for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: A991/A991M − 17
1. Scope* 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.1 This test method covers the procedures used to conduct safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
a temperature uniformity survey on a furnace used to heat treat responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
steel products. This method is used to determine the capability priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
of the furnace to meet the permissible temperature variation bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
specified in the applicable product specification, or as agreed to 1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
by the purchaser and supplier of heat treat services. Survey dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
documentation requirements, and the procedure used to subse- ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
quently establish the furnace working zone, are defined in this Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
test method. mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 This test method covers heat treat furnaces in any of the
following categories: 2. Referenced Documents
1.2.1 Continuous or semi-continuous conveyance furnaces, 2.1 ASTM Standards:2
1.2.2 Batch furnaces, and E207 Test Method for Thermal EMF Test of Single Thermo-
1.2.3 Salt or liquid baths and fluidized beds. element Materials by Comparison with a Reference Ther-
moelement of Similar EMF-Temperature Properties
1.3 This test method only applies when specified in the
E220 Test Method for Calibration of Thermocouples By
product specification or the purchase order.
Comparison Techniques
1.4 Controlling a heat treatment of steel products using E230 Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force
thermocouples attached to the extremities of each load is an (EMF) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
alternative to performing a furnace survey. E608/E608M Specification for Mineral-Insulated, Metal-
1.5 By mutual agreement between the purchaser and the Sheathed Base Metal Thermocouples
supplier of heat treat services, more stringent and/or additional 2.2 SAE Standard:3
requirements may be specified. The acceptance of any such AMS 2750 Pyrometry
additional requirements shall be dependent on negotiations 3. Terminology
with the supplier and must be included in the order as agreed
upon by the purchaser and supplier. 3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 batch furnace, n—heating device in which material
1.6 The values stated in either SI units or inch-pound units may be stationary or oscillating during the processing cycle.
are to be regarded separately as standard. The values stated in
3.1.2 continuous conveyance furnace, n—heating device
each system may not be exact equivalents; therefore, each
through which material is moved intentionally at a constant
system shall be used independently of the other. Combining
rate during the processing cycle.
values from the two systems may result in non-conformance
with the standard. 3.1.3 extremities, n—as referring to furnace working zone;
outer boundaries in all three dimensions (length, width, and
height) of the material being processed.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee A01 on Steel,
2
Stainless Steel and Related Alloys and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
A01.13 on Mechanical and Chemical Testing and Processing Methods of Steel contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Products and Processes. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 15, 2017. Published April 2017. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as A991/ Available from Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), 400 Commonwealth
A991M – 10 (2015). DOI: 10.1520/A0991_A0991M-17. Dr., Warrendale, PA 15096-0001, http://www.sae.org.
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A991/A991M − 17
7.4 For proposed working zones less than 12 in. [300 mm] 7.7.2.6 Control setting(s) shall be identical to those used in
in height, it is acceptable to monitor the center height location, normal production.
it is not necessary to monitor both the top and bottom of the 7.7.2.7 Take readings starting when the control instruments
heating chamber. For proposed working zones greater than, or rises to within 200°F [100°C] of the set point temperature and
equal to, 12 in. [300 mm] in height, both top and bottom continued throughout the hold cycle at the set point tempera-
extremities must be monitored. ture.
7.5 Continuous Conveyance and Semi-Continuous Convey- 7.7.2.8 Record the temperature of all load test and working
ance Furnaces: sensors frequently enough to detect when the specified oper-
ating range is exceeded, and at least five cycles of any recurrent
7.5.1 Convey test sensors through the furnace. The rate of
pattern have been observed.
conveyance shall be representative of normal operating condi-
7.7.2.9 If no recurrent temperature profile is detected, take
tions.
readings at intervals of five minutes or less, for at least 30 min
7.5.2 The frequency of temperature recordings shall be after thermal equilibrium is reached.
capable of detecting variations from the test temperature range
during the entire conveyance through the furnace. 8. Documentation of Survey Results
7.5.3 Several conveyances with the test sensors attached to 8.1 Organizations performing surveys in accordance with
the steel product, under the same conditions, may be made to this test method shall keep pertinent documentation of the
ensure that any recurrent temperature profiles are determined at conditions and procedures used in the completion of the survey
all test locations throughout the furnace. on file for a minimum of five years.
7.5.4 Alternative surveying techniques are described in 7.7.
8.2 Pertinent documentation shall include, but not be lim-
7.6 Batch and Batch Liquid Media Furnaces: ited to, the following:
7.6.1 Take readings starting when the control instrument 8.2.1 Specific identification of furnace surveyed,
rises to within 200°F [100°C] of the set point temperature and 8.2.2 Date of the uniformity survey,
continue throughout the hold cycle at the set point temperature. 8.2.3 Identification of the heat treat procedure,
7.6.2 Take readings at a minimum frequency of 1/10 the 8.2.3.1 Set point temperatures,
normal hold time. 8.2.3.2 Type of atmosphere,
7.6.3 Take the readings frequently enough to detect varia- 8.2.3.3 Conveyance speed (when applicable),
tions from the test temperature range and to determine the 8.2.4 Size and weight of steel product loaded in furnace at
extremes of the recurrent temperature profile, if any. time of survey,
7.6.4 Alternative surveying techniques are described in 7.7. 8.2.5 Item identification numbers (lot, heat serial, and so
forth),
7.7 Alternative Surveying Techniques—When agreed to by 8.2.6 Time and temperature data, including original tem-
the purchaser and the supplier of heat treat services, alternative perature charts or original manually recorded data,
surveying techniques may be used to characterize the tempera- 8.2.7 Dimensions and location of the working zone(s),
ture uniformity of the furnace and subsequently define the size 8.2.8 Number and location of the survey thermocouples,
and location of the working zone. Examples of these surveying 8.2.9 Largest observed temperature variation from the set
techniques are listed below. points during the hold cycle,
7.7.1 Statistical Sampling: 8.2.10 The time interval of the test, including the total
7.7.1.1 When it is impossible or impractical to perform the elapsed time. Starting time and chart speed shall be marked on
tests outlined in 7.5 and 7.6, it is permissible to substitute an the original temperature charts,
analysis of the resultant mechanical properties of the steel 8.2.11 All pertinent equipment calibration information,
products heat treated in the subject furnace to validate tem- 8.2.12 Deviations from the test method including, but not
perature uniformity. Details of this procedure shall be as agreed limited to, thermocouple failure, malfunction, or disconnec-
to between purchaser and supplier. tion.
7.7.2 Sequential Load Sensors: 8.2.13 Name of personnel conducting the survey, and
7.7.2.1 This procedure may be used as an alternative to 8.3 All data may be electronically recorded.
those described in 7.5 and 7.6. It provides validation of
temperature uniformity by a series of tests rather than a single 9. Interpretation of Results and Establishment of the
test. In each test, determine the temperature variation pattern at Working Zone
one or more of the test locations. 9.1 The results of the primary survey describe the tempera-
7.7.2.2 The frequency of test shall be six months. ture uniformity of a furnace under a specific set of operating
7.7.2.3 The temperature shall be within the normal operat- conditions. Results of the application of this test method shall
ing range, with the narrowest permissible variation for the be expressed as a variation from a temperature set point.
material applied to the survey. 9.2 Establishment of the furnace working zone is made by
7.7.2.4 Run the furnace with a load similar to that used in a comparing the temperature variation required by the product
normal production cycle. specification, or agreed to by purchaser and supplier of heat
7.7.2.5 Load or test sensors shall be arranged in, or in treat services, with the variation from the temperature set point
contact with, the test load. as determined by this uniformity survey.
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A991/A991M − 17
9.3 The working zone may either be the entire heating 11.2 Bias—No information can be presented on the bias of
volume, or it may only be some portion of the heating volume the procedure in this test method for measuring furnace
of the furnace. The working zone may be comprised of one or uniformity because bias can vary with the furnace being
more heating zones in the furnace. surveyed.
10. Heat Treatment in the Working Zone
12. Keywords
10.1 When invoked by the product specification, or agreed
to by purchaser and supplier of heat treat services, steel 12.1 furnace survey; temperature; uniformity; working zone
products shall be heat treated, as specified, only in the working
zone.
11. Precision and Bias
11.1 Precision—It is not possible to specify the precision of
the procedure in this test method for measuring furnace
uniformity because precision can vary with the furnace being
surveyed.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee A01 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(A991/A991M – 10 (2015)) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved April 15, 2017.)
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Copyright by ASTM Int'l (all rights reserved); Tue Jul 11 16:27:25 EDT 2017
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