Combustion Equipment for the Heat Treating industry has evolved to a complete departure from the equipment of only 25 years ago. This means that most of the Furnace Technology/Combustion Technology that is available today is different from the conventional thinking employed when the majority of existing furnaces were installed. If we couple these developments to the needs of the global community in the areas of energy conservation, NoX and CO emissions reductions plans, the need to discuss these technologies becomes paramount. Some of the most significant developments have been in the area of the materials used in these combustion systems and components. The variations of Radiant tubes and burner components made of Ceramics, Alloys and SuperAlloys, along withi Hybrid materials will be discussed. Cost Ramifications and maintenance issues will be reviewed, as well as the overall anticipated Return on investment for these materials.