1. Home
  2. Aerosol
  3. Aerosol Flux Remover: When Should it be Used for Annealing Metal?

Aerosol Flux Remover: When Should it be Used for Annealing Metal?

Annealing is a metallurgical process in which metal is heat treated to provide three primary effects: supplying the metal with increased ductility, softening the metal for machining processes, and homogenizing the metal’s microstructure to remove internal stresses that could cause the metal to crack or break during service. For some annealing practices, using aerosol flux remover is essential for the annealing process, while for others it is not as necessary.

When to Use Aerosol Flux Remover

Aerosol flux remover is used to remove flux residue from metal that has been put through the annealing process, but not every type of annealing process requires the application of aerosol flux remover. However, there are least two types of annealing procedures in which flux remover play an essential role in preserving the dimensional stability and appearance of the product.

  1. Open Air Annealing Procedures

Open air annealing procedures are typically performed for two reasons: open air annealing is often less time consuming that using a furnace for heat treating, and some metal assemblies are too large to fit inside an industrial heat treating furnace. In these situation, flux is applied to the part of the assembly is that annealed and to adjacent areas to prevent heat-based oxidation.

  1. Non-Atmosphere-Controlled Furnaces

Unlike atmosphere-controlled furnaces that remove gases from the heating chamber to prevent sensitive metals from oxidizing (chromium alloys, for example), non-atmosphere-controlled furnaces don’t retain a pure heat treating atmosphere, which means that oxygen and other oxidizing agents are present in the heating chamber. When you use this type of furnace, it’s generally recommended to apply flux in order to prevent oxidation and its undesirable qualities.

When to Not Use Aerosol Flux Remover

There are also at least three annealing procedures for which flux — and thus flux remover — are typically not required: performing annealing in a vacuum furnace, performing the procedure in an atmosphere-controlled furnace, and performing annealing with a bell annealer. Below is an explanation of why these furnaces bypass the fluxing process due to their elite technology.

  1. Atmosphere-Controlled Continuous Furnaces

These types of furnaces use special technologies to maintain a pure hydrogen/nitrogen atmosphere that does not react with most types of metals (alloys of stainless steel are a good example”. The furnaces use curtain boxes, hood and stack separation, and directional airflow to keep oxygen and other potentially oxidizing elements from causing metal to appear drossy.

  1. Vacuum Furnaces

Unlike atmosphere-controlled continuous furnaces and bell annealers that maintain a pure hydrogen/nitrogen atmosphere, vacuum furnace apply a vacuum to the heat chamber that removes all gases, essentially eliminating the chance of oxidation. This is why the furnaces are the gold standard for processing metals that will be used in strenuous applications, such as performance parts in aerospace equipment and longstanding, metal structural supports.

  1. Bell Annealers

Bell Annealers are often designed in a vertical fashion that makes them perfect for annealing long spools of wire and other types of metal assemblies that can be dropped into the furnace in a top-down manner. Like atmosphere-controlled continuous furnaces, bell annealers sequester metal in an environment that is free of gases that become corrosive at high temperatures. For example, a lustrous chromium alloy will oxidize when its is heated in the presence of oxygen.

Looking for Aerosol Flux Remover?

If so, Ecolink has the products you need to perform the annealing process and achieve best results. AND we can create a custom solution that addresses your requirements.

For assistance choosing an aerosol flux remover, call us today at (800) 563-1305, or refer to the contact page on our website. We look forward to supplying you with carefully formulated flux remover that can be used for the annealing process based on the type of metal involved. When flux remover is needed, it will help preserve the appearance of metal from oxidizing elements.

Search here

Don’t forget to share this post!

Suggested Blog Posts

View all News
By Ecolink Team
Electronic Grade
May 23 2025

What is Electronic Grade Chemicals?

Find yourself wondering what electronic grade chemicals are? Whether you’re trying to figure out the best chemical for cleaning your cell phone or need bulk chemical...
By Ecolink Team
Electronic Grade IPA
May 21 2025

What is Electronic Grade IPA

Isopropyl alcohol, commonly referred to as IPA, is a great solvent for cleaning. But when it comes to cleaning delicate surfaces such as electronics, the type of IPA...
By Ecolink Team
May 16 2025

6 Benefits of Water Treatment Chemicals for Boilers

Proper chemical treatment is essential for disinfecting water and preventing buildup in boilers. But what other benefits are there? In this blog post, we’ll take a...
By Ecolink Team
Industrial Cleaning Chemicals & Retail Cleaners
May 14 2025

Industrial vs. Retail Cleaners: Which Are Best?

We all clean. Whether you own a dental office, a townhouse, or a factory, cleaning is an essential part of your daily operations. But when it comes to choosing the best...
By Ecolink Team
non-destructive testing
May 12 2025

What is Non-Destructive testing? A Brief Overview

Evaluating a product’s materials and internal components is one of the best ways to test the integrity of a product. But how does each industry evaluate their products?...
By Ecolink Team
Best vehicle degreasers
May 09 2025

Best Vehicle Degreasers: Efficient Solutions for Removing Grease

fleets for their operations. Grease buildup can hinder efficiency and diminish the overall aesthetics of vehicles. To combat this challenge, businesses need the best...
By Ecolink Team
Vehicle Maintenance
May 07 2025

Vehicle Maintenance: Keeping Your Fleet in Top Condition

For many business operations, a well-maintained fleet of vehicles is not only a functional necessity; it is a reflection of a company’s commitment to efficiency and...
By Ecolink Team
Mechanical Cleaning Process
May 05 2025

Mechanical Cleaning Process: Methods and Equipment Overview

The mechanical cleaning process has emerged as a cornerstone for achieving optimal equipment performance in industrial maintenance. Industries- no matter their size or...
By Ecolink Team
Mechanical cleaning
May 02 2025

Mechanical Cleaning: Essential Techniques for Industrial Maintenance

In industrial maintenance, cleaning stands out as a fundamental process for ensuring optimal equipment performance and prolonging the lifespan of machinery. This method...
By Ecolink Team
Cleaning Electrical Contacts
Apr 30 2025

Cleaning Electrical Contacts: 5 Tips for Effective Maintenance

Electrical contacts are important circuit components found in machines and electrical equipment that are made from conductive materials. When two contacts touch, they...
View all News