AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS Archives

“Titanium Man” Recognized for Developing Titanium Heat Treating Protocol

If there’s one thing that can be determined by reading through the reasons given for nominations to Heat Treat Today‘s 40 Under 40 feature, it’s this: there are in the industry many young metallurgical and heat treating professionals with drive, intelligence, work ethics, and skill that will land them a multitude of awards, promotions, and public acknowledgements.

But as to whether any of them will match the achievements of “titanium savant” Russell Gordon Sherman remains to be seen.

“Sherman’s claim to fame is his research and development concerning alloys and heat-treating protocols for the titanium industry, expanding upon the usability of the metal during the formative years of the titanium industry.”

Dr. Frauke Hogue, a Fellow of ASM International

Recently, Dr. Sherman, 92, who is a member of ASM International, was announced as the recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Titanium Association for “his work in developing titanium alloys, pioneering the high-volume production of titanium aerospace fasteners, and designing heat treating protocols for the titanium industry.”

The Santa Monica Daily Press noted that Sherman made possible the high-volume production of titanium aerospace fasteners during the years when the U.S. and the Soviet Union were vying for aerospace supremacy. Sherman will be presented with the award at the Titanium USA 2018 Conference and Exhibition, October 7-10, 2018, in Las Vegas.

“The entire titanium industry has benefited from his research into developing a higher-strength titanium (the workhorse Ti-6Al-4V alloy) through the heat treatment of solution treating and aging,” wrote Dr. Frauke Hogue, a Fellow of ASM International.

Sherman’s research, presented first in a paper at ASM’s convention in Philadelphia in October 1955, titled, “The Heat Treatability of Ti-6Al-4V”, went on to impact multiple industries but particularly the industrial fastener industry as it intersected with aerospace.

Still providing consulting services in the titanium industry, Sherman, though retired, is not resting on his laurels.

“. . . . If you’re lucky, you might spot the Titanium Man out in Santa Monica, relaxing after a much-accomplished life.”

“Russell Gordon Sherman, The Titanium Man”, Santa Monica Daily Press

“ASM member Russell Sherman Receives Award from International Titanium Association”, ASM International

“Titanium Man” Recognized for Developing Titanium Heat Treating Protocol Read More »

Materials Technology Group Acquires Nadcap/ISO Accredited Lab

August 9, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS INDUSTRIES

A global provider of a comprehensive range of materials and product qualification test, inspection and certification services recently announced the acquisition of a Nadcap and ISO 17025 accredited laboratory headquartered near Cleveland, Ohio.

Element Materials Technology (Element) acquired Orbit Industries, Inc. (Orbit) strengthening its leadership position in non-destructive testing (NDT) for the aerospace industry.

With over 30 prime approvals, Orbit, which also operates out of four other satellite inspection facilities across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York, specializes in ultrasonic, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle and chemical processing for raw materials, semi-finished and finished products, including landing gear components, airfoils, and aluminum wheels.

“We are delighted to welcome Orbit, a world-class inspection facility, to the Element Group,” said Charles Noall, president and CEO of Element. “In the past few years, we have invested heavily in expanding our NDT platform in order to meet the strong-ramp up in engine and structure production that the aerospace industry is experiencing. The addition of Orbit complements our existing aerospace NDT facilities in California, Connecticut, Houston, Portland and Monterrey, Mexico, strengthening our footprint, capacity, and capabilities and enabling us to deliver cost savings for our clients.’”

“Since our formation in 1965, we have become one of the leading providers of NDT services to aerospace primes and Tier 1 suppliers in the United States,” said John Alexandrovic, CEO, Orbit.” We see partnering with Element as an opportunity to expand our capabilities and capacity so we can continue to offer our customers testing solutions of the best quality, lead time and price in the industry.”

Element is one of the world’s leading providers of aerospace non-destructive testing services to the global aerospace sector. Its facilities across the Americas and Europe specialize in the latest state-of-the-art testing and inspection services, including high-demand services such as digital x-ray, immersion ultrasonic, and etching services.

Materials Technology Group Acquires Nadcap/ISO Accredited Lab Read More »

Aerospace Services Provider Inducts New Engines for Defense Supplier

August 7, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

An aerospace maintenance and repair provider recently inducted two engines in the launch of a 20-year, multi-engine MRO agreement signed earlier this year with a major manufacturer of power systems for aviation and other industries.

StandardAero inducted its first Rolls-Royce AE 1107C engine at the company’s Maryville, Tennessee, facility, and its first Rolls-Royce T56-427 engine at its San Antonio, Texas, facility.

The new AE 1107C turboshaft engine powers the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, delivering 7,000 lbs. shaft horsepower, and is in service with the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force.

The T56-427/427A is also a new engine for StandardAero, powering the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and Advanced Hawkeye, an all-weather, carrier-capable tactical airborne early warning aircraft in service with the U.S. Navy. The T56-427 delivers 5,250 lbs. shaft horsepower. The new contract expands the company’s exclusive 8-year agreement to support T56 engine MRO services in support of the U.S. Air Force fleet of C-130H aircraft at StandardAero’s San Antonio facility.

In addition, this new multi-engine agreement will significantly grow work currently conducted by StandardAero on the Rolls-Royce AE 2100 engines, serviced at the company’s Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada facility with capacity also being added to StandardAero’s San Antonio facility within the United States.

“Our first induction of these new engine models represents a huge milestone for our company and for our customers,” said Russell Ford, CEO of StandardAero. “This is the beginning of a new and expanded long-term relationship with Rolls-Royce along with the privilege and honor of serving the mission-critical needs of our nation’s military forces.”

Aerospace Services Provider Inducts New Engines for Defense Supplier Read More »

Grant Awarded for “Super Finishing” 3D Lab, Builds on Existing Thermal Processing Technology Research

July 25, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

Ed DeMeter, a professor in the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, is the lead on the research project.

Source: Penn State News

A state-of-the-art “super finishing” lab for 3D-printed metal parts at Penn State University has received grant funding of $535,000 and will complement existing subtractive processing technology, including heat treating systems, as part of the one-year project, titled “Super Finishing of Printed Metallic Parts for High-Performance Naval Systems.” The grant has been awarded by the Defense University Research Instrumentation Program, which operates through the Department of Defense’s Office of Naval Research.

“The Navy has a strong interest in identifying and researching the technical issues of using 3D-printed metal parts for naval applications now and in the future,” said Ed De Meter, a professor in the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, is the principal investigator on the project. “They want to better understand how to design parts while identifying potential barriers and also benefits that may arise between the metal printing process and any secondary processing that is done to smooth out the surface texture of these parts.”

Grant Awarded for “Super Finishing” 3D Lab, Builds on Existing Thermal Processing Technology Research Read More »

Pittsburgh Metals Company Acquires Aerospace & Defense Additive Manufacturer

July 18, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

Rich Harshman, ATI’s chairman, president and CEO

A Pittsburgh-based specialty metals company recently announced that it has acquired a leading pro metal alloy-based additive manufacturer for the aerospace and defense industries, located in New Britain, CT.

Allegheny Technology Incorporated (ATI) purchased Addaero Manufacturing, combining “ATI’s deep knowledge and experience in commercial aerospace and our industry-leading powder metal manufacturing capabilities, including our new aerospace-qualified Bakers Powder Operations, and Addaero’s technical expertise to produce aerospace quality parts using various additive manufacturing technologies,” said Rich Harshman, ATI’s chairman, president and CEO.

Rich Merlino, president, Addaero Manufacturing

“Addaero’s competencies are a natural extension of ATI’s metallic powder expertise and will expand our capabilities to provide comprehensive customer solutions ranging from the design of parts for additive manufacturing to the production of ready-to-install components. The acquisition of Addaero is another building block in our strategy to enhance ATI’s full specialty materials capabilities to provide end customers with finished products,” Harshman added.

“The Addaero team is excited to be a part of ATI. The combination of ATI and Addaero will increase the speed to market of new and innovative additively manufactured powder metal solutions for our aerospace and defense customers and beyond,” said Rich Merlino, president, Addaero Manufacturing.

Photo credit: Addaero Manufacturing; photo caption: 1) The Addaero Manufacturing team; 2) The above rocket nozzle was fabricated in Inconel 718 with internal cooling channels to reduce wall temperature. The engine was hot fired 10 times for up to 30 seconds in duration.

Pittsburgh Metals Company Acquires Aerospace & Defense Additive Manufacturer Read More »

Niobium C-103 Alloy Developed for Space Exploration

July 17, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

A global supplier of refractory technology metals and technical ceramics for multiple industries recently launched a unique niobium C-103 alloy for rocket and jet propulsion applications utilized in spacecraft and launch vehicles.

H.C. Starck’s Fabricated Products Division developed the advanced alloy with “resistance to high-frequency vibrations at cryogenic temperatures that occur in satellites and particularly high-performance rocket nozzle applications,” said Judson Humphrey, Market Director for Aerospace, Defense and Government for the Fabricated Products Division.

“H.C. Starck‘s niobium C-103 alloy is part of our alloy development program to extend our fabricated products portfolio allowing customers to take advantage of the unique characteristics of our alloyed materials,” said Andreas Mader, CEO of the Fabricated Products Division. “We are working with customers in space exploration to design the highest quality and performance products with the prospects of more advanced space exploration in mind.”

Photo Credit: Wikimedia

Niobium C-103 Alloy Developed for Space Exploration Read More »

Vacuum Heat Treat Furnace Manufacturer Breaks Ground on New Facility, Reunites Operations

June 25, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

Bill Jones, CEO, Solar Manufacturing, Inc.

With the recent groundbreaking at a site in Sellersville, Pennsylvania, a leading vacuum furnace manufacturer launched its plans to reunite its manufacturing operations under one roof in order to combine its staffing and production efforts into an expanded space.

Solar Manufacturing Inc. celebrated this new chapter in its history with a groundbreaking ceremony for a new manufacturing facility at the Sellersville Business Campus in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Due to substantial growth in recent years, Solar Manufacturing has been operating out of two separate manufacturing facilities located a few miles apart. The nearly 60,000 square-foot building will be built on 8.55 acres and is expected to be completed in early 2019. The new building will contain a two-story office space of nearly 20,000 square feet and 40,000 square feet of crane-served, manufacturing space.

"Solar Manufacturing has been very fortunate to experience steady growth over the past 15 years," said Bill Jones, CEO. "We needed more manufacturing space to expand and grow our business. Bucks County and Sellersville Borough have been very supportive and welcoming. It is an ideal location for us."

Solar Manufacturing is a member of the Solar Atmospheres family of companies, which is based with headquarters in Souderton, Pennsylvania, has four US commercial heat treating facilities with over 60 vacuum furnaces in operation, and services the aerospace, medical, automotive, defense, and other industries with heat treating equipment. This move to the Sellersville location will free up space for Solar Atmospheres' growing operations.

Pictured left to right: Jim Nagy, President; Bob Wilson, VP of Engineering; Scott Jacoby, Corporate Controller; Myrtle Jones, Owner; Bill Jones, CEO/Owner; Trevor Jones, CEO; Nick Cordisco, Service Manager; Pete Reh, VP of Sales; Rick Jones, International Sales Manager

Main image photo credit: Madeleine Cook, The Morning Call. Caption: CEO of Solar Manufacturing Inc., Trevor Jones, receives a certificate from his grandfather, owner William Jones, during the groundbreaking ceremony for a new manufacturing facility on June 21, 2018, in Upper Bucks County.

Vacuum Heat Treat Furnace Manufacturer Breaks Ground on New Facility, Reunites Operations Read More »

The Search for New Materials, Methods for “Large Landing Gear of the Future”

June 21, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, FEATURED NEWS

A U.K.-based company that designs and manufactures aluminum matrix composites (AMCs) components has been appointed to work on a two-year, $40.5 million (£28m) project titled “Large Landing Gear of the Future.”

Alvant, located in Basingstoke, United Kingdom, is participating in this project at the invitation of project-leader Safran Landing Systems, the international high-technology group and Tier 1 supplier of systems and equipment to the aerospace and defense industries. The project aims to make use of new materials and manufacturing methods to develop and demonstrate technologies that will reduce landing gear weight, fuel burn and noise, at the same time as improving reliability and lowering ownership costs.

Current landing gear systems are typically stronger and heavier than necessary because an outstanding safety record has resulted in proven techniques being perpetuated. However, they account for approximately three per cent of aircraft weight, with a corresponding effect on fuel consumption. Safran believes it is possible to reduce this without diminishing the gear’s capabilities or safety.

Richard Thompson, commercial director of Alvant

Alvant’s work on this project will be funded by a $675,000 (£513,000) grant from Innovate UK. This will enable the design, manufacture and testing of an AMC brake rod, targeting a 30 per cent weight reduction over an equivalent titanium component whilst maintaining the same strength as steel.

AMCs are advanced composite materials in which the aluminum is reinforced with a secondary high-performance material, typically a long fibre, short fibre, or particulates. Compared to unreinforced metals, AMCs have higher strength, greater stiffness, lower weight, superior wear resistance, and lower coefficients of thermal and electrical conductivity. AMCs also offer advantages over polymer fibre reinforced materials, such as carbon composites, including higher transverse strength and stiffness, a higher thermal operating range, better wear resistance, superior damage tolerance, and easier reparability.

“A key objective of the Large Landing Gear project is to test and demonstrate as many technology advances as possible,” said Richard Thompson, commercial director of Alvant. “Alvant’s AMCs are a sustainable solution that enhance product capabilities. This is a very attractive proposition for many industries, in particular, aerospace. Alvant looks forward to demonstrating this while working in conjunction with Safran. This landing gear component is just one of the many ways in which AMCs can help aerospace firms retain strength while reducing weight.”

The Search for New Materials, Methods for “Large Landing Gear of the Future” Read More »

Canadian Centers of Excellence Established for Helicopter Airframe, Engine MRO Services

June 19, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

An independent provider of engine and airframe services recently announced a 12-18 month company restructuring of its primary Canadian MRO facilities to create three different Centers of Excellence (COEs) specifically for supporting Helicopter Airframe/Component MRO services, Helicopter Engine MRO services and Turboprop Engine MRO services at facilities located in Langley, British Columbia; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Summerside, Prince Edward Island.

In addition, StandardAero intends to wind down its operations at its Richmond, B.C. facility by June of 2019 as part of the restructuring plans. Helicopter engine MRO services currently performed at Richmond will be relocated to StandardAero’s Winnipeg facility, including all Safran Arriel 1&2, Rolls-Royce M250, GE T700 and Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) PT6T helicopter engine MRO services. Winnipeg will serve as the company’s COE for all Helicopter Engine MRO services. Helicopter dynamic components, currently located in Richmond, will be relocated to the company’s Langley facility which will serve as the COE for Helicopter Airframes/Component MRO services moving forward.

In order to accommodate all of the helicopter engine MRO capabilities in Winnipeg, StandardAero is moving its Winnipeg P&WC PW100 MRO engine services and as well as the existing P&WC PT6A work to its facility in Summerside – which will become the company’s COE for Turboprop Engine MRO.

“Over the past several months, our team has been working carefully to drive integration activities and program management to combine our legacy StandardAero and Vector Aerospace facilities,” said Russell Ford, CEO of StandardAero. “A big part of our overall acquisition strategy is to ensure we establish these Centers of Excellence (COEs) and combine or consolidate relevant engine platforms to eliminate duplicate operations, while also freeing up capacity to accommodate our growth programs.”

StandardAero services include engine and airframe maintenance, repair and overhaul, engine component repair, engineering services, interior completions and paint applications to a diverse array of customers in business and general aviation, airline, military, helicopter, components, and energy markets.

Photo credit: StandardAero

Canadian Centers of Excellence Established for Helicopter Airframe, Engine MRO Services Read More »

Pioneer in Metallic 3D Printing in Aviation Acquires Airbus Spin-Off

June 14, 2018 / AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT, AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

A German tier one supplier of metal components for Airbus aircraft recently acquired a 3D printing specialist which was founded as a spin-off of the Airbus Group.

APWORKS, located near Munich, Germany, was purchased from Airbus by Premium AEROTEC, which is located in Augsburg, Germany. This acquisition will allow APWORKS to focus on its objective to support clients in advancing in additive manufacturing-related areas, including prototyping, development, and distribution of the patented material Scalmalloy®, a high-strength aluminum alloy for additive manufacturing of components, and above all the development of qualified mass production applications.

Premium AEROTEC is a pioneer in the use of metallic 3D printing in aviation. As the first aviation supplier, the company has succeeded in integrating 3D printed titanium components into the aircraft structure.

“With the entry of Premium AEROTEC, we are taking a big step closer to our vision of industrial series production using AM technology,” said Joachim Zettler, managing director of APWORKS. “The goal is to combine APWORKS ‘highly dynamic approach to solving our customers’ AM issues with the decades of premium AEROTEC’s manufacturing experience to deliver the maximum value along the AM value chain to our customers across a broad range of industries.”

“Our investment creates a powerful link between Premium AEROTEC and APWORKS, which opens up all possibilities for additive manufacturing to current and future customers,” said Dr. Ing. Thomas Ehm, Chairman of the Board of Premium AEROTEC. “We want to actively promote APWORKS on its dynamic growth path. With our pioneering experience in metallic 3D printing and proven aerospace quality standards, we are the industrial reference for APWORKS ‘innovative ideas. ”

Through the merger of the two companies Premium AEROTEC and APWORKS, customers have access to currently eleven plants with a wide variety of materials, as well as the entire value-added chain for the reworking of components.

Photo Caption: Dr. Ing. Thomas Ehm, Chairman of Premium Aerotec’s Board of Directors, welcomes Joachim Zettler, CEO of APWorks, as a representative of the entire APWorks team. (L to R: Klaus-Peter Willsch MdB, Chairman of the Parliamentary Group Aerospace in the German Bundestag, Dr. Ing. Thomas Ehm, Franz-Josef Pschierer, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs and Joachim Zettler)

Pioneer in Metallic 3D Printing in Aviation Acquires Airbus Spin-Off Read More »

AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS

“Sherman’s claim to fame is his research and development concerning alloys and heat-treating protocols for the titanium industry, expanding upon the usability of the metal during the formative years of the titanium industry.”

“. . . . If you’re lucky, you might spot the Titanium Man out in Santa Monica, relaxing after a much-accomplished life.”

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