Heat Treatment

Refractory Products for Metal Heat Treatment

Vulcan Refractories supplies UK-made refractory products for batch and continuous heat treatment furnaces used in processes such as stress relieving, annealing, bright annealing, age hardening, precipitation hardening, and quenching.
These furnaces operate under extreme thermal and chemical conditions, where consistent performance and dimensional stability are essential for achieving uniform, high-quality results.

Our refractory ceramics provide the durability, thermal shock resistance, and mechanical strength needed to maintain temperature control and reduce downtime. As a result, operators can run their furnaces efficiently while extending equipment life.

Applications

Vulcan’s refractories are used in a wide range of heat treatment applications across the metals industry. These include furnaces designed for stress relief, annealing, bright annealing, and hardening processes. Improving the mechanical properties and surface finish of metals.

Our products perform reliably in both batch and continuous furnace systems, ensuring consistent heating, reduced energy loss, and long service life. They are suitable for use in oxidising and reducing atmospheres, including nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and water vapour environments.

Because of their strength and resistance to impact, quenching oils, and rapid temperature changes, Vulcan’s materials deliver dependable performance across a range of metalworking applications.

Products

We manufacture a comprehensive range of refractory ceramics tailored for metal heat treatment. Our range includes:

• Silicon carbide refractories for high-temperature structural components.
• Alumina refractories for superior insulation and stability.
• Alumino-silicate materials for cost-effective, versatile performance.

Typical products include skid rails, hearth tiles, muffles, and other specialised shapes designed to fit both new and existing furnace systems.

Each product is engineered for precision, ensuring tight tolerances and a perfect fit in high-performance environments.

Key Features

Our refractory materials are built to perform under diverse heat treatment conditions. Key benefits include:

• Reliable operation in oxidising and reducing atmospheres.
• Resistance to thermal shock, quenching oils, and wear.
• Compatibility with a wide range of industrial gases and hydrocarbons.
• Excellent impact resistance and mechanical strength.
• Proven performance in temperatures up to 1800°C (depending on material type).
• These properties make Vulcan’s refractories a trusted choice for manufacturers who require stability, consistency, and quality from their heat treatment furnaces.

Supporting the UK Metal Industry

With decades of experience, Vulcan Refractories has become a reliable partner to the UK’s metal heat treatment and engineering industries. Our in-house manufacturing allows us to maintain strict quality control, provide short lead times, and deliver materials built for performance.

Whether you require custom refractory shapes or standard components, our team works closely with you to ensure your furnace operates efficiently and safely.

Contact us today to learn more about our refractory products for heat treatment furnaces and how Vulcan can support your production goals.