Conditioning step after a burnout, rebuild or long idle. Brick, alloy and probe surfaces absorb carbon until the atmosphere stabilizes, so the first production load does not come out lean. It usually runs several hours at operating temperature and carbon potential, confirmed with shim stock before the furnace goes back on parts.
Three's back from the rebuild, give it an overnight seasoning at 0.9 before any gears go in.
Also heard as
- conditioning
- reseasoning
- season
Related terms
Sooting
Free carbon depositing in a furnace or on parts when the atmosphere carries more carbon than it can hold.
Carbon potential
The carbon content a furnace atmosphere would give the surface of plain steel at equilibrium.
Alloy
Heat-treat slang for the heat-resistant baskets, trays, grids and fixtures that carry parts through the furnace.
Integral quench furnace
A sealed batch furnace with a heating chamber and an attached oil quench, run under protective atmosphere.