What is the difference between an atmosphere furnace and a resistance furnace?

There are significant differences between atmosphere furnaces and resistance furnaces in multiple aspects. The following is a detailed comparison between the two:

1. Heating principle
Atmosphere furnace: Using gas or mixed gas as the heating medium, a specific heat treatment process is achieved by adjusting the atmosphere inside the furnace. The heating medium atmosphere in the atmosphere furnace can be divided into three categories: reducing, neutral, and oxidizing. The appropriate atmosphere can be selected according to the processing requirements.
Resistance furnace: Using electrical energy to generate a strong magnetic field, the alternating current induced in the heating element produces heat transfer, thereby achieving the purpose of heating and heat treatment. Specifically, a resistance furnace uses Joule heating generated by current passing through a conductor as a heat source, and converts electrical energy into thermal energy through electric heating elements to heat workpieces or materials.

2. Usage scenarios and materials
Atmosphere furnace: mainly used for heating and heat treatment of non-ferrous metals, such as titanium alloys, high-temperature alloys, tungsten molybdenum alloys and other high-temperature alloy materials. The heating medium in the atmosphere furnace can regulate the chemical composition and microstructure of the metal material surface to a certain extent, thus achieving relatively uniform heating and heat treatment effects. In addition, atmosphere furnaces are commonly used for high-temperature treatment, with a maximum temperature of over 2000 ℃, suitable for sintering and high-temperature heat treatment of metal materials.
Resistance furnace: mainly used in the field of steel metallurgy, such as melting casting, hot-rolled steel pipes, etc. Meanwhile, resistance furnaces are also suitable for sintering, heat treatment, and other non-metallic materials, such as production and processing in industries such as ceramics and glass. Resistance furnaces are generally used for low-temperature treatment, with the highest temperature generally below 1200 ℃. Due to the fixed environment inside the resistance furnace, the heat treatment process can be controlled to a certain extent, resulting in a more stable heat treatment effect.

3. Equipment cost and maintenance
Atmosphere furnace: Due to the unique heating method and usage environment of atmosphere furnaces, their manufacturing and maintenance costs are usually high.
Resistance furnace: In comparison, the manufacturing and maintenance costs of resistance furnaces are lower, making them easier to popularize and apply.

4. Temperature control and accuracy
Atmosphere furnace: It has a wide temperature control range and usually has high temperature control accuracy and uniformity to meet the heat treatment needs of different materials.
Resistance furnace: Although it can also achieve certain temperature control, its temperature control accuracy and uniformity may be slightly inferior compared to atmosphere furnaces.

In summary, there are significant differences between atmosphere furnaces and resistance furnaces in terms of heating principles, usage scenarios and materials, equipment costs and maintenance, as well as temperature control and accuracy. When selecting heat treatment equipment, it is necessary to consider the specific usage and processing requirements comprehensively in order to choose the appropriate equipment.