A global energy technology manufacturer is expanding its vacuum heat treatment capacity to produce high-performance gas turbine components for modern energy stability by ordering its tenth single chamber vacuum furnace. The large-format system will support growing production and the heat treatment of next-generation gas turbine blades, flow-path elements, and other components designed to withstand extreme temperatures, material fatigue, and oxidation.
SECO/WARWICK, an industrial heat treatment equipment supplier with operations in North America, will supply the Vector vacuum furnace. The unit has a working space measuring 47.2″ x 47.2″ x 70.9″, allowing it to accommodate large gas turbine components.
The furnace can operate with hydrogen, argon, and nitrogen as process gases. Argon and nitrogen can also be used for cooling, allowing cooling parameters to be adjusted according to process requirements. The system’s round heating chamber provides temperature distribution of ±5°C (±9°F).
Kamil Siedlecki Sales Manager SECO/WARWICK
“High vacuum, temperature stability, and the ability to operate with various process gases are key here,” said Kamil Siedlecki, sales manager at SECO/WARWICK. “Thanks to its large working space and refined heating system design, the unit enables the processing of oversized components while maintaining very high process cleanliness.”
This capability supports the clean vacuum conditions required to heat treat gas turbine blades and flow path elements. The furnace will support growing production and the processing of a new generation of components used in gas turbines, which can operate at temperatures exceeding 1300°C (2372°F). These turbines also play a key role in the energy transition by helping to stabilize energy systems powered by renewable energy sources.
Press release is available in its original form here.
A new method for producing hot isostatic pressing (HIP) cans could simplify manufacturing of critical components for advanced nuclear reactors while reducing reliance on constrained forging and casting supply chains.
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’sOak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in partnership with A.J. Tuck Company, have developed a hybrid manufacturing process that combines 3D printing and electroforming to produce complex, leak-free HIP cans. The sealed containers are used in powder metallurgy hot isostatic pressing (PM-HIP), where metal powder is consolidated under high heat and pressure to form fully dense components.
The approach is aimed at addressing manufacturing challenges associated with advanced and small modular reactors, which require large, high-precision metal components. Limited domestic forging capacity can create production challenges for these components, while conventional HIP cans typically require several fabrication and assembly steps.
A hybrid manufacturing process combines 3D printing, electroforming, and hot isostatic pressing to produce critical components for advanced nuclear reactors and other energy and defense applications. | Image Credit: Morgan Manning, Brett Hopwood/ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy
The new process begins with a 3D-printed polymer form that defines the final component geometry. Electroforming is then used to build a uniform nickel shell approximately 2–3 mm thick around the form. After the polymer is removed, the hollow metal structure is filled with metal powder, sealed, and processed using HIP to consolidate the powder into a solid component.
ORNL’s Dr. Vanshika Singh holds a 15.7-pound solid nickel component produced using the leak-free HIP can fabricated during Phase 1 of the project. | Image Credit: Alonda Hines/ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy
“This project shows that electroforming can successfully produce leak-free HIP cans for advanced nuclear energy applications,” said Dr. Vanshika Singh, ORNL research associate staff scientist. “This approach could make it easier to produce these components in the U.S., reducing supply chain challenges for advanced nuclear energy systems.”
During the first phase of the project, the team produced five leak-free cylindrical HIP cans measuring 6 inches tall and 4 inches in diameter. Researchers also developed an integrated port design that eliminates the separate welding of process tubes, which can be a source of failure during the HIP process.
One of the leak-free HIP cans was used to produce a 15.7-pound solid nickel component. A second phase is now underway to apply the process to a more complex geometry — either an impeller or a valve relevant to nuclear energy systems.
“Working alongside ORNL allowed us to bring our deep electroforming expertise into an entirely new domain,” said Dara Williams, president of A.J. Tuck Company. “Demonstrating that this process can produce leak-free HIP cans at this level of precision opens real doors for domestic nuclear manufacturing — and we’re just getting started.”
The technology is suited for energy applications requiring large, high-precision metal components, including reactor pressure vessels, valves, and turbine systems. The research was conducted through a cooperative research and development agreement and subsequent licensing agreement between ORNL and A.J. Trucking Company.
The ORNL portion of the project was performed at the laboratory’s Manufacturing Demonstration Facility, which is supported by the DOE’s Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office.
Press release is available in its original form here. Main image shows (from left to right) ORNL’s Gina Tourassi, A.J. Tuck Company President Dara Williams, and ORNL’s Robert Wagner making a licensing agreement on Day 2 of Materials and Manufacturing Innovation Days at the MDF with a photo inset of A.J. Tuck Company electroforming a leak-free HIP can. | Image Credits: Shawn Poynter/ORNL, U.S. Department of Energy (licensing agreement) and A.J. Tuck Company (photo inset)
Demand for high-temperature vacuum thermal processing equipment continues across strategic manufacturing sectors, with recent orders supporting nuclear fuel production, advanced ceramics, tungsten processing, additive manufacturing, and carbon materials. The activity reflects continued investment in specialized thermal processing technologies serving these applications.
Centorr Vacuum Industries, a New Hampshire-based industry supplier of vacuum and controlled-atmosphere furnaces, reports that its first-half 2026 activity included multiple vacuum induction melting furnaces, large-format vacuum hot presses, Sintervac® furnaces, Workhorse furnaces, Testorr™ systems, and LF furnaces for a variety of industrial thermal processing applications.
The equipment will support applications including nuclear fuel testing, advanced ceramics hot pressing, tungsten heavy alloy sintering, tungsten carbide debinding and sintering, graphitization of carbon powders for battery, hypersonic, and nuclear applications, physical testing of carbon fiber composites and carbon-silicon carbide materials, and the heat treatment and sintering of additively manufactured titanium components.
Centorr also reported first-half 2026 revenue of $18 million and said bookings remained strong through the first two quarters of the year, contributing to one of the largest backlogs in the company’s 72-year history.
Looking ahead, the company said it expects to begin startup of large graphitization and chemical vapor infiltration systems during the second half of 2026, further expanding the range of high-temperature thermal processing technologies it supports.
Press release is available in its original form here. Additional information provided by Centorr Vacuum Industries.
U.S. Steel is investing approximately $475 million in a new quench-and-temper (Q&T) line at its Fairfield Tubular Operations in Alabama, expanding internal heat treating capacity for seamless tubular products. The project centers on the addition of quench-and-tempering processing, a thermal treatment used to enhance the strength and performance of steel tubular products, at a facility that primarily serves oil and gas markets.
Related Reading: Want to learn more about the thermal treatment behind this investment? Click on the image above to explore how tempering improves toughness and balances the hardness achieved through quenching.
“Our new quench and temper line removes a critical production bottleneck, expands capacity, and enables us to meet growing demand,” said Scott Dorn, senior vice president of Tubular Solutions. “The integrated technology also improves traceability from casting through finishing, delivering added value to our [clients].”
Scott Dorn Vice President, Tubular Solutions U.S. Steel
U.S. Steel’s investment in Fairfield is part of broader Tubular expansion plans designed to capitalize on demand growth in key U.S. opportunity basins, such as Permian, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, and Appalachia. These enhancements also help strengthen the Birmingham community, reflecting U.S. Steel’s longstanding commitment to economic contribution in the region and across the state.
The Q&T line is expected to reach full production by Q2 2029.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Allied Graphite, a U.S.-based graphite materials manufacturer, is advancing the high-temperature thermal processing of its battery-grade material with a new technology partnership. This partnership to develop, validate, and provide engineering data for vertical furnace solutions will support the company’s progress toward commercial-scale production.
The effort aims to design, test, and refine vertical furnace configurations in partnership with Harper International, a U.S.-based global provider of high-temperature thermal processing systems for advanced materials, and ONEJOON GmbH, a global supplier of high-temperature thermal processing equipment. The systems are intended to support processing steps required for battery-grade graphite production.
As part of the collaboration, Harper International is contributing engineering and validation programs conducted at Harper’s Technology Center in Buffalo, New York. Meanwhile, the partnership with ONEJOON GmbH will include joint engineering work and advanced development activities intended to support the design and validation of commercial-scale furnace configurations.
Andy Goshe Chief Executive Officer Allied Graphite
“Thermal processing performance is fundamental to delivering consistent product quality at scale. These partnerships reflect our commitment to rigorous engineering validation and disciplined equipment selection as we advance toward commercial-scale operations,” said Andy Goshe, chief executive officer of Allied Graphite.
The collaboration includes engineering development and validation programs to evaluate furnace designs under production conditions. The work is expected to generate process data to inform final equipment selection and support the transition from pilot-scale validation to commercial manufacturing.
High-temperature thermal processing is a key component of graphite production. Vertical furnace systems are being assessed for performance and scalability in production environments, key considerations as demand grows in the battery sector.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Two vacuum induction melting (VIM) casting systems are being deployed to support the production of components used in power generation turbine manufacturing. The systems are designed to produce advanced alloys with controlled microstructures for components operating under demanding thermal and mechanical conditions.
The equipment, engineered to support both equiaxed (EQ) and directionally solidified (DS) casting processes, will be used in the production of high-performance, nickel-based alloy turbine components. These casting technologies are critical for achieving the structural integrity, thermal resistance, and performance consistency required in modern power generation turbines operating under extreme conditions.
Earl Good President Retech
Retech, a U.S.-based company and part of the SECO/WARWICK Group, supplied the two VIM systems. “These systems were designed to build on prior installations while incorporating specific changes requested by the [client] to support their current and future production goals,” said Earl Good, president of Retech. The systems are based on Retech’s core designs but incorporate client-specific modifications, tailoring feeder configurations to align with the client’s established production practices. This enables repeatable casting while maintaining precise thermal and atmospheric control throughout the process.
The order continues a relationship between Retech and the client that dates back to the 1980s, with several legacy systems still in operation at the facility. The client has indicated plans to expand capacity in the coming years, including potential additional system purchases and replacement of older equipment.
Press release is available in its original form here.
A manufacturer of vacuum circuit breakers has added vacuum brazing capability for producing electrical power components utilized in modern power distribution systems. The thermal processing technology joins metal parts used in vacuum interrupters, helping ensure consistent performance in circuit breakers used across industrial and utility power networks.
Image Credit: SECO/WARWICKMaciej Korecki Vice President of Vacuum Business Segment SECO/WARWICK
The manufacturer, based in China and specializing in multiple types of vacuum circuit breakers, ordered two vacuum furnaces from SECO/WARWICK, a global manufacturer of industrial heat treatment equipment with operations in North America. The client has previously installed multiple systems from SECO/WARWICK. “We have [clients] who operate more than a dozen of our systems,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Furnace Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group.
The furnaces will be used primarily for vacuum brazing and related thermal processing of interrupter assemblies and other circuit breaker components that require strict control of mechanical strength, hermetic sealing, and dimensional stability.
The systems use a pumping configuration with a turbomolecular pump designed to achieve ultra-high vacuum conditions. High temperature uniformity and rapid heating — enabled by seven control zones, including a central heating element — allow for consistent processing of loads. The furnaces are also equipped with a horizontal gas-cooling system and an external cooling unit.
As a critical component in circuit breakers, vacuum interrupters play a key role in safely interrupting electrical current during switching operations. The addition of vacuum brazing capability and controlled vacuum furnace processing allows the manufacturer to produce the sealed assemblies required for reliable performance in power distribution equipment.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Global pipe manufacturer Tenaris has reactivated quenching and tempering operations at its Koppel, Pennsylvania facility, restoring a critical stage of in-house heat treating capacity that supports domestic oil country tubular goods (OCTG) production for the U.S. energy sector. The restart reinforces supply chain reliability for clients requiring high-performance steel pipe.
Guillermo Moreno President Tenaris U.S.
The reactivation follows Tenaris’s broader investment in its Pennsylvania operations and coincides with the reopening of the adjacent steel mill. “Reopening the heat treatment and finishing lines in Koppel reinforces the strength of our domestic production capabilities for our clients across the U.S.,” says Guillermo Moreno, Tenaris U.S. President. “Koppel remains a cornerstone of our U.S. operations, allowing us to deliver high-quality steel products that support U.S. energy and industrial needs.”
Tenaris operates an integrated steel pipe manufacturing system across Pennsylvania and Ohio. At the Koppel facility, steel billets are produced in an electric arc furnace and shipped to Ambridge, Pennsylvania, where they are rolled into seamless OCTG to client specifications. The pipes are then returned to Koppel for quenching and tempering, followed by finishing, nondestructive testing, and inspection.
In the final stage of production, the pipes are sent to Tenaris’s Brookfield, Ohio, facility for threading and final inspection before shipment to oil and gas clients across the United States. With the Koppel heat treatment lines back online, Tenaris strengthens its U.S. production capabilities and continues delivering high-performance steel products for energy and industrial applications.
Press release is available in its original form here.
PROENERGY, a manufacturer of power-generation equipment and services, has ordered four vacuum furnaces to support operations at its new Houston Center for Excellence in Lifecycle Care. The 455,000-square-foot facility will serve fast-start gas turbine overhauls, maintenance, and onsite repair services, expanding capacity for the power industry.
TITAN vacuum furnaces | Source: Ipsen USAPE6000 LPC Case | Source: PROENERGYPE6000 | Source: PROENERGYJohn Spilker Senior Vice President of Operations PROENERGY
PROENERGY has selected three TITAN series vacuum furnaces and one TurboTreater system supplied by Ipsen USA to equip the Houston operation. “As we expand production of the PE6000 aeroderivative engine, we also needed additional vacuum furnace capacity,” said John Spilker, senior vice president of Operations at PROENERGY.
Ipsen USA will deliver and install one TITAN H2 2-bar vacuum furnace with an 18 x 18 x 24-inch work zone and a 1,000-pound capacity, two TITAN H6 2-bar vacuum furnaces, each with a 36 x 36 x 48-inch work zone and a 3,000-pound capacity, and one TurboTreater model H6672 featuring a 48 x 48 x 72-inch work zone and a 3,500-pound capacity. “Ipsen furnaces have served us well for years in both manufacturing and repairing turbine parts. Based on the accuracy and reliability of these furnaces, we worked closely with the Ipsen team to meet operational requirements, optimize cost, and minimize lead time,” said Spilker.
Press release is available in its original form here.
ArcelorMittal is advancing a major expansion in electrical steel production that includes a preparation line, a continuous annealing and varnishing line, and a slitting line — developments that reflect ongoing job growth and investment in industrial heat treating processes worldwide. The project has already mobilized more than 300 external contractors, with 175 employees now dedicated to the new lines and staffing expected to reach approximately 200 as the next phase of work progresses. Phase 2, currently underway, includes construction of an annealing-pickling line and a reversible rolling mill, with all five planned production lines scheduled to be operational by 2027.
Entry zone of the continuous annealing and varnishing line Source: ArcelorMittal FranceBruno Ribo Managing Director ArcelorMittal France
ArcelorMittal France announced that the first three lines of its new electrical steel production unit at the Mardyck industrial site will enter into operation by the end of 2025. The project, representing a €500 million investment and described as the largest undertaken by the Group in Europe over the past decade, marks a significant expansion in the production of electrical steels, complementing the company’s existing output at Saint-Chély-d’Apcher and bringing the company’s total European output to approximately 295,000 metric tons annually.
Bruno Ribo, managing director of ArcelorMittal France, emphasized the significance of the development for both the site’s workforce and the broader market. “Creating new production lines is an exceptional experience in the life of an industrial site. It is just as exceptional for our employees who have been involved in the development of the lines, from the project phase to the operational phase. I, like them, will be very moved to see the first of the 155,000 tons of electrical steel that we will eventually deliver annually roll off the lines,” he said.
Annealing and varnishing line control cabin Source: ArcelorMittal France
The electrical steels produced at Mardyck — ultra-thin rolled steels engineered for specific magnetic and mechanical properties — are used in all types of electric motors. ArcelorMittal notes that the new unit will support the electrification of applications in both industrial and automotive sectors. As global demand grows for these specialty steels, capacity developments of this scale create benchmarks for manufacturers across regions, including North America, as companies assess long-term sourcing strategies and material availability for high-efficiency motor components and transformer systems.
The project is supported in part by a €25 million contribution from the French State under the France 2030 program.
Press release is available in its original form here.
