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Yes, it can, but there are some issues to consider. A standard vacuum furnace heats its load most effectively at temperatures above 1200°F (650°C), the start of the “red heat” range when radiant heating becomes most efficient. Below 1200°F (650°C), temperature uniformity within the furnace becomes a concern. Tempering operations for many alloys take place at temperatures well below the red heat range. Depending on load factors such as mass, configuration and section thickness portions of the load may not get properly tempered. Vacuum furnaces can be built with a convection heating capability to improve uniformity at lower temperatures, but this still may not be sufficient to meet some of the more stringent temperature uniformity requirements.
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