The metal melting industry means big dollars all over the world. Whatever needs to be melted, there are melting furnaces available to get the job done. Common metals which require the use of melting furnaces include pewter, bismuth, babbitt, solder, tin, lead, precious and semi-precious, soft or white metals, and their numerous alloys. The actual design of most is fairly standard, with the main difference being the capacity they have for holding non-molten metal. Keeping in mind that the price is relative to the size of the unit, there are a variety of types of metal furnaces to choose from.
Aluminum Pot Furnace
Cast iron pots are used to melt non-ferrous metals and alloys inside this furnace. Their use is popular in precision casting, die casting, and zinc sand or aluminum casting. The average capacity is between 100 and 400 pounds, and the furnace can be set up to use either propane or natural gas.
High Temperature Melting Furnaces
Along with having a melting pot made from cast iron, a benefit to the high temperature furnaces is the addition of an extra-wide flange. This is useful to prevent clogging of the flue passageways by debris, scale, and metals. The temperature is rated to about 1400°F, making them perfect for white metal, lead, kircksite, and tin melting. Either propane or natural gas may be used.
Bottom Draw-off Melting Furnaces
This type of furnace is for melting non-ferrous metals such as pewter, white metal alloys, babbit, solder, and lead. The melting pots are constructed from cast iron and their capacity can range from 160 to 5000 pounds. Temperature rating is generally about 1000°F and either natural gas or propane can be used.
Soft Metal Furnace
The soft metal furnace is ideal for melting white or soft metals, zinc, babbitt, solder, tin, and lead. Capacity for these furnaces usually ranges between 160 to 2700 pounds. The highest temperature rating is 1000°F. Use of either natural gas or propane is permitted.
Rectangular Pot Furnace
Along with its use in the non-ferrous melting industry, this type of furnace is also used for heat treating. Lead capacity will vary between 500 and 6000 pounds, depending on the model purchased. The maximum temperature is 1250°F. Either propane or natural gas use is allowed.
Low Temperature Salt Bath Furnace
This type of furnace was designed for use in both industrial and commercial applications. Among the recommended uses are applications such as stripping, cleaning, annealing, tempering, and heat treating. The maximum temperature rating is 1300°F, and they are operated using either propane or natural gas.
High Temperature Salt Bath Furnace
These melting furnaces provide an oxygen/ air-free medium that reduces scaling, decarburizing, and oxidation. Application uses include tempering, annealing, carbon nitriding, carburizing, neutral hardening, and many others. The maximum temperature rating for continuous use is 1650°F, and they operate on natural gas or propane.
