在过去10年中，流化床热处理炉在金属处理行业产生了巨大的影响。与传统热处理方法相比，流化床具有更高的质量、更短的循环时间和更低的运行成本。渗氮和氮碳共渗表面硬化处理特别适合于流化床热处理，因为其具有高负荷密度、精确的过程控制、可重复性和低成本。本文探讨了基础冶金、实际应用和经济效益。

OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, FLUIDIZED BED HEAT TREATING FURNACES HAVE MADE A DRAMATIC IMPACT IN THE METAL TREATING INDUSTRY. WHEN COMPARED TO CONVENTIONAL HEAT TREATING METHODS, FLUIDIZED BEDS OFFER SUPERIOR QUALITY, SHORTER CYCLE TIMES, AND LOWER OPERATING COSTS. NITRIDING AND NITROCARBURIZING SURFACE HARDENING TREATMENTS ARE PARTICULARLY WELL-SUITED TO FLUIDIZED BED HEAT TREATING BECAUSE OF HIGH LOAD DENSITIES, PRECISE PROCESS CONTROL, REPEATABILITY, AND LOW COST. THIS PAPER EXAMINES THE BASIC METALLURGY, ACTUAL APPLICATIONS, AND ECONOMIES.