The Fusion of Power, Precision, and Performance.

Firing enamel on cast iron requires a specialized enamel furnace due to the material's high thermal mass. Cast iron absorbs and releases heat much more slowly than steel. Therefore, the furnace needs a longer "soak" zone to ensure the entire heavy casting reaches a uniform temperature for a proper cure. It also requires a more gradual and controlled cooling zone to prevent thermal shock, which could cause the enamel to crack. At TIMS, we engineer the length, power output, and zone control of our enamel furnace systems specifically to handle the unique thermal profile of heavy materials like cast iron, ensuring a perfect, durable finish.

The enamel furnace used for large architectural panels is a highly specialized piece of equipment. Due to the large surface area and relative thinness of the steel, temperature uniformity is paramount to prevent warping. These furnaces are often very long to allow for a gradual and gentle ramp-up and cool-down. The conveyor system is a critical component, typically using a precisely aligned, flat mesh belt or a specialized "pin-type" conveyor to hold the panels perfectly flat as they are fired. At TIMS, we have the expertise to engineer these massive, high-precision enamel furnace systems required for producing world-class architectural enameled steel.

There are several ways to classify an enamel furnace. The first is by heating method: electric furnaces use resistive heating elements for clean, precise heat, while gas-fired furnaces use burners (often in radiant tubes) for powerful and efficient heating. The second classification is by process flow: continuous furnaces use a conveyor for high-volume production, while batch furnaces (or box furnaces) are loaded and fired one cycle at a time for lower volumes or unique parts. They can also be classified by the firing atmosphere they create. At TIMS, we design and build all types of enamel furnace, consulting with our clients to engineer the perfect system for their specific product and production needs.

This is a dangerous oversimplification. While an enamel furnace must reach high temperatures, "hotter" is not better. The key to a perfect finish is not maximum temperature, but precise control of the entire temperature profile or "firing curve." Every enamel formulation has an ideal maturation point. If the furnace is too hot (over-firing), the enamel can become brittle, colors can burn out, and defects like blisters can form. If it's not hot enough (under-firing), the glass won't fully fuse, leading to poor adhesion and a porous surface. The goal is to have an enamel furnace that can hold the perfect temperature with absolute stability, not just achieve extreme heat.