In-situ generation of heat treating atmospheres using non-cryogenically produced nitrogen

A method of generating an in-situ atmosphere inside furnace used for performing a process selected from the group consisting of brazing, sealing of glass to metals, sintering metal and ceramic powders, or non-ferrous metal and alloy annealing wherein a selected process is effected by the steps of:

• heating said furnace to a temperature above 600.degree. C.;
• injecting into said furnace gaseous nitrogen containing from 0.05% to 5% by volume oxygen together with a reducing, said reducing gas injected into said furnace with a flow rate varying from about 1.2 times to 15.0 times the stoichiometric amount required for a complete conversion of oxygen, said gaseous nitrogen and said reducing gas introduced into said furnace by directing said gaseous nitrogen and said reducing gas away from parts being subjected to the selected process in order to permit said reaction of oxygen and said reducing gas to be essentially complete prior to said mixture contacting parts being subjected to said selected process;
• and
• exposing said parts to said temperature and said atmosphere for a time sufficient to complete said selected process.