Ask the Experts Metals

	Tom Philips Sr. Principal Applications Engineer

For sintering and brazing atmospheres in a continuous belt type furnace with open ends, you must follow NFPA 86 Standard for Ovens and Furnaces. Typically, atmospheres containing greater than 4% hydrogen in nitrogen are considered flammable. In fact, any mixed atmosphere—even if it contains less than 4% hydrogen—is considered “indeterminate” and must be treated as if it were flammable.

NFPA 86 recommends you satisfy the following conditions before introducing any flammable or indeterminate atmosphere is into the furnace:

• At least one zone of the furnace must be hotter than 1400^oF.
• The furnace must be purged with an inert gas until the atmosphere analysis indicates it’s below 50% of its LEL (lower explosive limit). General recommendation is to use five volume changes of inert gas flow.
• There must be visible indication of purge flow. Plus, purge piping should have normally open solenoid valves.
• The atmosphere system should be designed with interlocks so the flammable gases are shut off using normally closed solenoid valves in the event of power failure, a temperature drop below 1400^oF, or insufficient flow of the main atmosphere component.

Download a copy of our paper about the impact of temperature on flammability limits and furnace safety. Or, contact us online or call
800-654-4567.