HARDENING NEWS

All-Metal Hot Zone Furnace for Solar Atmospheres

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS

Solar Atmospheres has expanded its operations with an additional all-metal hot zone furnace. The new system significantly expands the company’s capacity to heat treat highly sensitive materials such as precipitation-hardened stainless steels, nickel-chrome-based superalloys, titanium, and niobium. The new unit is installed at their Hermitage, Pennsylvania facility, and will meet the stringent demands of the aerospace and medical industries.

Additional all metal hot zone furnace for Solar Atmospheres
Source: Solar Atmospheres

Michael Johnson, Sales Director at Solar Atmospheres of Western Pennsylvania, stated: “The all-metal vacuum furnace plays a critical role in delivering the purest possible processing environment. This level of cleanliness and control results in pristine end products that meet the most demanding industry standards. We’re proud to partner with the engineers at Solar Manufacturing to bring this advanced technology to fruition.”

The furnace incorporates strategically placed isolation valves, an oversized main valve, a high-capacity diffusion pump, and a polished stainless-steel chamber. Capable of achieving vacuum levels below 5 x 10⁻⁶ Torr, the system ensures bright, contamination-free results.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Vacuum Furnace Boosts Aerospace Component Production

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A single-chamber vacuum furnace will be provided to a manufacturer in the aerospace industry. The new furnace will expand their production capacity of aircraft gear manufacturing.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Business of the Vacuum Furnace Segment
SECO/WARWICK

“For decades, we have been working for the aerospace industry and continuously improving our equipment to not only meet high quality standards but also to ensure maximum efficiency. For manufacturers of aircraft and helicopter parts, we almost always prepare unique solutions tailored to defined needs,” shared Maciej Korecki, vice president, Vacuum Segment of SECO/WARWICK group, which is providing the furnace. SECO/WARWICK is an industrial furnace technology provider with North American locations.

“Thanks to the inverter control, we can activate the optimal cooling power at the appropriate stage of the process. A major advantage of this device is its low heat loss and excellent temperature distribution in the graphite heating chamber, which is resistant to rapid wear and simple to operate and maintain,” says Paweł Okinczyc, sales manager at SECO/WARWICK.

The single-chamber Vector vacuum furnace enables the heat treatment of large components, while maintaining a compact design. The furnaces in this line are equipped with convective heating, improving heat transfer efficiency during lower temperature heating; directional cooling, allowing problematic components in terms of shape to be cooled in different ways; and isothermal hardening, enabling better cooling process control through enhanced charge temperature management and frequency converter-based fan control.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Bluewater Thermal Solutions Ships First Production for Energy Producer

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, HARDENING NEWS

Bluewater Thermal Solutions has announced its first production order of Hard-Corr™ tubing to a Texas-based energy producer. The order contains 12,000 feet of tubing and will be installed during well operations commencing this month.

The product is 2-7/8-inch diameter, 32-foot long, Grade L80 1% chromium steel production tubing treated with Bluewater’s proprietary Hard-Corr surface technology. The process imparts enhanced corrosion, wear, and erosion resistance to both the inner and outer surfaces of the tubing, making it ideal for annular and annulus production wells.

Craig Zimmerman
Technical Director
Bluewater Thermal Solutions
Source: Bluewater Thermal Solutions

“Our customers have relied on boronized tubing for years to combat corrosion and wear inside wells. Hard-Corr builds on that success offering enhanced protection compared to untreated tubing, plus added benefits and flexibility, at a lower overall cost,” said Craig Zimmerman, technical director for Bluewater Thermal Solutions.

While boronized tubing remains the established premium standard for inner-surface protection, Hard-Corr™ is engineered as a complementary, lower-cost alternative that maintains the mechanical integrity and strength of L80-grade steel. This allows operators to deploy it as a full-string solution from bottom to top while also gaining additional protection for the exterior surfaces.

The company is the largest supplier of boronized products and services to oil and gas producers in the Bakken and Permian shale plays.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Vacuum Furnace for 3D Printed Aerospace Components

/ AEROSPACE HEAT TREAT NEWS, ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, STRESS RELIEVING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A vacuum furnace is being supplied for the heat treatment of 3D printed metal components used in the aviation and energy industries. The furnace will meet the requirements of stress-relieving processes for large components produced using additive technology and highly controlled hardening processes.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Business of the Vacuum Furnace Segment
SECO/WARWICK

SECO/WARWICK, a furnace provider with North American locations, will provide the new equipment. The furnace has a working space of 900 x 900 x 1200 mm and an advanced vacuum system which enables clean processes.

“The new investments of our partner in 3D printing are among the most dynamic undertakings in the field of precision metalworking … Our device is a key element in the chain of post-processing technology and has been designed to perfectly respond to the needs related to annealing and stress removal in additively manufactured elements,” commented Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK.

The vacuum furnace is equipped with an efficient high vacuum system (HPGQ) based on two SV300 Leybold pumps, a Roots WH2500 pump, and an HS-32 AGILENT diffusion pump, allowing for vacuum in the 10⁻⁴ mbar range. The device also features a partial pressure system for technical gases, which counteracts the sublimation of alloying elements and contamination of the hot zone. An important addition is the dew point sensor, which protects against moisture condensation in the heating chamber and minimizes the risk of oxidation of the batch surface.

SECO/WARWICK Vector furnace produced image
Source: SECO/WARWICK

The recipient plans to use the device primarily for post-3D printing stress-relief processes, but also for hardening turbine and engine system components.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Dual-Chamber Vacuum Furnace for Increased Hardening Capacity

/ CARBURIZING NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A plant is expanding its heat treatment capacities with a dual-chamber vacuum furnace equipped with an oil quenching system and an advanced vacuum carburizing system.

The new device for Bodycote, a heat treater with U.S. locations, is for their Siechnice, Poland location. The furnace will expand its range of services and will be provided by SECO/WARWICK, a furnace provider with locations in North America.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Business of the Vacuum Furnace Segment
SECO/WARWICK

“These multi-chamber furnaces combine heat treatment in a vacuum with traditional oil quenching in dual- or triple-chamber configurations, enabling high efficiency, and delivering clean, oxide-free (IGO) parts. The Bodycote Group is a key partner for us, thanks to our shared commitment to advanced heat treatment technology,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Segment Group at SECO/WARWICK.

Dariusz Podgórski
Vice President Bodycote Polska

“The dual-chamber [furnace] was the correct choice to meet the requirements for implementing sustainable development strategies and reducing CO₂ emissions. The new furnace will allow us to conduct cleaner carburizing processes without an endothermic atmosphere,” said Dariusz Podgórski, vice president of Bodycote Polska Sp. z o.o.

The features of the furnace include an oil quenching system ensuring fast and uniform cooling of the charge, as well as the FineCarb vacuum carburizing system, which allows for precise control of process results.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Boriding Innovation Highlighted for US DOE Secretary

/ ENERGY HEAT TREAT NEWS, HARDENING NEWS

Bluewater Thermal Solutions showcased its contributions to innovation in the energy and industrial sectors, including Ultra-Fast Boriding at Argonne National Laboratory. U.S. Department of Energy’s Secretary, Chris Wright, engaged in a dialogue there on the future of transportation, manufacturing, and critical materials research.

Craig Zimmerman
Director-Technical
Bluewater Thermal Solutions

Craig Zimmerman, Director-Technical at Bluewater, joined fellow leaders from national labs and industry at Argonne’s Materials Engineering Research Facility (MERF). Bluewater highlighted its collaborations with Argonne National Laboratory’s pioneering work in Ultra-Fast Boriding surface hardening technologies for down-hole oil production operations, which play a vital role in supporting domestic energy production.

“We’re deeply committed to advancing U.S. manufacturing through technical innovation,” said Zimmerman. “Participating in this event alongside Secretary Wright and our colleagues at Argonne highlights the successful development and transfer of new technology from Argonne to Bluewater Thermal Solutions.”

U.S. DOE Secretary surveys components at Argonne National Laboratory.
Source: Bluewater Thermal Solutions

Argonne’s mission is to accelerate innovation from discovery to deployment, strengthen domestic supply chains for critical materials, and make the movement of people and goods more efficient and sustainable. Bluewater’s contributions help scale thermal technologies that bolster reliability.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Railway Supplier voestalpine To Expand with Hardening Line

/ ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

voestalpine Fastening Systems, a supplier to the railway industry, is bolstering its hardening processes of steel parts with a technological line consisting of multiple furnaces and washers. The process will be carried out in a protected nitrogen atmosphere with temperatures up to 1742°F (950°C) on parts to be used in railway rolling stock.

Mariusz Raszewski
Deputy Director of Aluminum Process and CAB Furnaces
SECO/WARWICK

The technological line on order from SECO/WARWICK consists of two CaseMaster furnaces, three tempering furnaces, and two washers. In addition, the railway supplier will have an electric chamber, a cooling station, and an endothermic atmosphere generator delivered.

“[T]he result of technological tests carried out in a service hardening plant that the customer was acquainted with … convinced voestalpine Fastening Systems that we would meet the high requirements of the contract. The line is configured in such a way that if the volume of the company products decreases, the customer can also offer commercial processing due to the wide technological spectrum of this main furnace unit,” said Mariusz Raszewski, deputy director of the Aluminum Process and CAB Furnaces Team at SECO/WARWICK.

The technological line will include a loader operating in automatic mode, a set of roller tables, and a closed-loop water system. The number of the supplied technological line units is selected to ensure the quality of manufactured components. The whole process will be supervised by a master system, which is used to continuously monitor the heat treatment equipment operation and provides advanced data analysis for the production processes.

Mariusz Fogtman
Chief Operating Officer
voestalpine Fastening Systems

“The universal furnace solution will allow [the client] to process various parts in various configurations. Apart from technological parameters, it is important for us to limit processed part deformations, which is possible with the solution on order,” said Mariusz Fogtman, chief operating officer, voestalpine Fastening Systems Sp. z o. o.

This is the first cooperation between both partners in this product area. SECO/WARWICK has previously delivered vacuum furnaces to the voestalpine Group.

Press release is available in its original from here.

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Heat Treater Triples Surface Hardening Capacity at Ohio Facility

/ AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, MEDICAL HEAT TREAT NEWS, TITANIUM PROCESSING NEWS

A heat treating company that processes stainless steel, titanium, and other specialty alloys is expanding its operations with a major investment in a larger facility, tripling its heat treatment and surface hardening capacity. The automotive and medical devices industries are among those the company serves at its Twinsburg, Ohio, location.

Thomas Sandholdt
CEO
Expanite, Inc

With the new equipment, Expanite Inc., a subsidiary of Expanite A/S, based in Denmark, will be able to meet the growing demand for advanced surface hardening and heat treatment solutions. The new furnaces, installed by SECO/WARWICK, have chamber sizes up to 24x24x36 inches and process larger and more complex components. This expansion will allow the company to meet its commitment to sustainability by offering greener alternatives to traditional technologies.

“Our investment is all about meeting the growing demands from our North American customers,” said Thomas Sandholdt, CEO of Expanite. “We’re now able to handle much larger volumes while maintaining the fast lead times and flexibility that our customers expect from Expanite.”

“Our expanded capabilities mean we can now offer our full range of Expanite technologies, including the processes for titanium, right here in the U.S.,” said Claus Løndal, country manager for Expanite North America. “This allows us to serve a wide range of customers while reducing lead times and costs.”

New furnaces installed as part of Expanite’s expansion at its Twinsburg, Ohio, location.

Besides the proprietary Expanite processes, standard vacuum heat treatment processes are offered, including hardening of tool steels (D2, A2, M2, H13, etc.), austenite annealing of stainless (304, 316, etc.), precipitation treatment of PH-steels (17-4PH, 13-8PH, etc.) and specialty treatment of alloys (Inconel 718, MU-metal etc.). The addition of vacuum heat treatment solutions extends the company’s capabilities, offering more solutions, and greater flexibility and ensuring clients receive hardening solutions tailored to their specific needs. In this expansion, Expanite is bringing its patented technology for hardening of titanium to North America.

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Heat Treat Operations Modernize with 9 Hardening Furnaces

/ HARDENING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, TEMPERING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Nine heat treat furnaces are set to modernize the operations of a manufacturer’s heat treat facilities. This move is intended to create cleaner, safer, more cost-effective operations while also allowing for finer process control and a reduced carbon footprint.

The nine furnaces are being fabricated by SECO/VACUUM, a division of SECO/WARWICK Group: three Vector® vacuum furnaces and six tempering furnaces with supporting auxiliary systems. This returning heat treat client currently operates twelve SECO/VACUUM furnaces at their various locations throughout North America. They will incorporate the new furnaces as a continuation of their strategic planning to modernize all facilities from atmospheric heat treatment to vacuum processes.

Piotr Zawistowski
Managing Director
SECO/VACUUM TECHNOLOGIES, USA
Source: SECO/WARWICK

Each of the nine units are front-loading, horizontally configured furnaces with a 36″ x 36″ x 48″ working volume and a 3300 lb. capacity. The Vector® is a single-chamber gas quenching vacuum furnace using high pressure quench (2 to 25 bar) which can be applied to a variety of heat treating processes and applications. These particular Vectors will be used primarily for hardening. Tempering is a process primarily used to increase the toughness of hardened ferrous-alloy parts. The tempering process is typically applied after a hardening process.

Heat treating operations will have to shut down entirely during the modernization changeover. To minimize disruption, SECO/VACUUM will also serve as the general contractor, overseeing the installation of the new furnaces, auxiliary systems, wiring, piping, and ventilation needed prior to commissioning and operator training.

“It is a testament to our commitment to our partner’s success that they not only continue to return for more furnaces, but that they place their trust us in to manage the entire project in order to get them back to serving their customers,” said Piotr Zawistowski, managing director at SECO/VACUUM.

The press release is available in its original form here.

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Heat Treater To Receive 2 Furnaces

/ CARBURIZING NEWS, HARDENING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

François Studer SA, a Swiss commercial heat treater with 45 years of experience, will advance their hardening capabilities with the order of two furnaces: a vacuum furnace with 15 bar abs high-pressure gas hardening and a furnace for tempering with vacuum purging.

The new solutions from SECO/WARWICK will help increase processing capacity while maintaining the processed element’s high precision and quality. This is important to the heat treater, a hardening plant that processes two truckloads of charges every day.

“We are constantly developing,” commented Francois Studer, CEO of Francois Studer S.A. “We needed to add the capacity to utilize vacuum carburizing, pre-nitriding for carburizing technology and low-pressure carbonitriding, and the new Vector fits these needs perfectly. The retort furnace, on the other hand, significantly increases the hardening plant’s processing capacity in terms of time-consuming tempering and nitriding processes using ZeroFlow technology.”

The vacuum furnace on order by the hardening plant enables efficient processes to be carried out at a vacuum level in both medium and high ranges. The round heating chamber allows for oversized loads. Combined with dedicated LPC, HPGQ technology and a high vacuum system, the furnace will meet the heat treater’s requirements for hardening and carburizing a wide range of various parts.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Business of the Vacuum Furnace Segment
SECO/WARWICK

The partial pressure system used helps to prevent evaporation and sublimation of alloying elements from the load surface during the vacuum heat treatment or vacuum brazing process. Partial pressure control is important when processing many materials to prevent the heating chamber evaporation and contamination. Isothermal quenching provides control of the cooling process by automatically managing the load temperature and the gas blower motor control using a frequency converter. The carburizing and low pressure carbonitriding (LPCN) options, which the furnace for François Studer SA is equipped with, enables precision processing to increase the steel surface hardness during the entire thermal process.

“The Vector furnace will streamline and increase the hardening process capacity and improve process efficiency. The advantage of this product is a large working space which can be adjusted to an oversized load, using the round heating chamber’s advantages. This is the so-called golden mean for many commercial heat treaters, also because it can be equipped with numerous additional options. With limited production areas, multifunctional, failure-free furnaces are worth their weight in gold for commercial heat treatment,” added Maciej Korecki, VP of the Vacuum Furnaces Team at SECO/WARWICK.

The second furnace on order is a horizontal retort furnace for gas nitriding using ZeroFlow technology and for high tempering with vacuum purging.

The press release is available in its original form here.

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