With around 250 new employees in the U.S., Poland, Germany, France, and China, the AICHELIN Group is expanding to over 1,350 employees. The deal represents the largest acquisition in the company’s history.
The acquisition expands the Group’s technology portfolio with leading expertise in nitriding furnaces. The integration of the NITREX sites will take place step by step in coordination with local leadership teams.
Christian Grosspointer CEO AICHELIN Group Source: AICHELIN Group, Tobias Fröhner
“This acquisition is an important step in the execution of our strategy. We want to grow meaningfully, with a strong foundation, local proximity, and technological excellence. Together with NITREX, we are combining know-how and regional strengths for the benefit of our customers, employees, and all stakeholders,” said Christian Grosspointner, CEO of the AICHELIN Group.
The AICHELIN Group has set a clear roadmap for sustainable growth and technological advancement. The focus is on diversification into new industries and applications, driven both by in-house development initiatives and targeted acquisitions.
Press release is available in its original form here. Earlier developments of this story were reported on by Heat Treat Todayhere.
Argonne scientists have been investigating 3D-printed steels for use in next-generation nuclear reactors. In two studies, they used X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to reveal how heat treatments can help 3D-printed steels endure nuclear service.
Heat Treat Todayhas added additional resources for heat treaters, those in the nuclear energy sector, and new professionals in the industry who would like to learn more throughout this release. Make sure to click the links throughout to access all of the information!
Crucial components within nuclear reactors are often made using stainless steel; it fortifies falls and withstands decades of extreme heat, pressure, and irradiation. Additive manufacturing — or 3D-printing — offers a way to produce complex stainless steel parts more efficiently, however it can leave behind defects in the microscopic structures of steel parts, impacting their performance. Two recent studies have shown how additively manufactured steels compete with their conventional counterparts.
Scanning transmission electron microscopy images of 3D-printed 316H stainless steel before (a) and after (b and c) two heat treatment techniques. Red arrows indicate nano oxides, which greatly impact the steel’s response to heat treatment. Source: Argonne National Laboratory
Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Argonne National Laboratory used X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy to discover nanostructures of steel made with an additive manufacturing method called powder bed fusion (LPBF).
They printed two samples of stainless steel alloys with LPBF. In one study, they focused on 316H, an established type of stainless steel for structural components in nuclear reactors, and in the other they focused on Alloy 709 (A709), a newer alloy designed for advanced reactor applications. Both studies revealed the differences between 3D-printed steel and conventionally wrought steel, and also highlighted how printed steels responded to various heat treatments.
Before these steels can be relied upon in reactor environments, the nuclear industry has discovered their growing need for a deeper understanding of how to control 3D-printed steels.
“Our results will inform the development of tailored heat treatments for additively manufactured steels,” said Srinivas Aditya Mantri, an Argonne materials scientist who co-authored both studies. “They also provide foundational knowledge of printed steels that will help guide the design of next-generation nuclear reactor components.”
Using Heat Treatment for Repair
In LPBF, a laser melts precise designs into a metal powder one layer at a time until a solid, 3D metal object is formed. The repeated heating and cooling caused by the laser changes the microstructures of the steel.
Printed steels, for example, show higher numbers of dislocations — a defect of non-uniform shifts in a steel’s structure. Dislocations strengthen steel, but they also increase its internal stress, leaving it more vulnerable to fracture.
Heat treatment is a way to relieve this stress. Heat treatment changes the microstructures of a metal and can repair dislocations as high temperatures allow atoms to shift. Recrystallization is a product of heat treatment where new, strain-free grains replace the original structure. However, keeping some dislocations can have benefits of promoting precipitation of particles that can improve a material’s performance.
3D-printing 316H, a Standard for the nuclear industry
In one of the studies, researchers focused on 316H, comparing the microstructures of wrought and LPBF-printed samples by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning transmission electron microscopy.
Transmission electron microscopy images of 3D-printed and heat treated Alloy 709 stainless steel. The experiments revealed a high number of dislocations in their microstructures. Source: Argonne National Laboratory
At a second office, they used in situ X-ray diffraction experiments. At beamline 1-ID, the team evaluated the samples using high-energy X-rays while they underwent varying heat treatments of solution annealing.
“The high flux of photons provided by the APS allowed us to track the evolution of the microstructures in real time during the dislocation recovery process,” said Xuan Zhang, another materials scientist at Argonne and co-author on both studies. “That’s something you can only achieve with a synchrotron X-ray facility like the APS.”
What was revealed is that recrystallization was inhibited by nano oxides, which are nanoscale defects common in 3D-printed steel.
“Nano oxides act as a sort of barrier to the movement of dislocations and the growth of new grains, causing some dramatic differences between the response of LPBF-printed and wrought steels to heat treatment,” Zhang said. “For example, the printed samples started to recrystallize at temperatures several hundred degrees higher than their wrought counterparts.”
The effects of these discoveries on the mechanical properties of the metal are essential, particularly strength under tension and resistance to creep. Creep is the slow deformation of a material under consistent mechanical load, which is relevant for nuclear applications.
3D-printing A709, An Up-And-Coming Heavy-Hitter
The other study focused on A709, a newer advanced stainless steel designed for high-temperature environments such as inside sodium fast reactors. Researchers studied samples of A709 printed with LPBF, making it the first experimental look at an additively manufactured form of the alloy.
While investigating the strengths of the heat treated samples under tension, both at room temperature and 1022°F (550°C) — a temperature relevant to sodium fast reactors — the printed A709 showed higher tensile strengths than the wrought A709. This is most likely on account of the printed samples beginning with more dislocations, which also led to the formation of more precipitates during heat treatment.
“Our research is providing practical recommendations for how to treat these alloys,” said Zhang, “but I believe our biggest contribution is a greater fundamental understanding of printed steels.”
Press release is available in its original form here.
On Wednesday, September 24, Heat Treat Today, in cooperation with the Metal Treating Institute (MTI), presented the 2025 Master Craftsman Award (also known as the Commercial Heat Treater of the Year Award) to Braddock Metallurgical, Inc.
The award was presented at the formal awards presentation banquet at the Metal Treating Institute Fall Meeting and Conference in Napa, California. Pictured above from left to right is Natalie Littler, Jason Kusher (Plant Manager, Braddock Metallurgical), Grace Blasco, Erik Gieger (Quality Manager, Braddock Metallurgical), Mary Braddock, Griffith Braddock (VP, Braddock Metallurgical), George Gieger (CEO, Braddock Metallurgical), Rose Gieger, Roy Adkins (Corporate Director of Quality, Braddock Metallurgical), Christine Adkins, and Doug Glenn (Publisher, Heat Treat Today).
This award, whose applicants are judged by a panel of previous recipients, is given to the company that demonstrates making a positive impact on their community and their industry. Recognition is based on quality programs, pollution and hazardous waste control, community involvement, and industry leadership.
At the award presentation, Doug Glenn highlighted how “the company’s commitment to quality and innovationis evident in the numerous quality certifications and its approach to assisting customers. To name just one quality system accomplishment, the company has achieved Merit Standing for their AS9100 Rev D Quality System for four of their locations.”
He continued, “When it comes to the company, it has been actively working towards reducing its carbon footprint, promoting resource conservation, and adopting sustainable sourcing practices by: Monitoring asset utilization to reduce wasted energy, recycling oil and wastewater, performing thermal surveys of electrical panels, tuning combustion systems, using only Federal and state regulated waste removal companies, and monitoring storm water activities at all facilities.”
Commercial Heat Treater of the Year CertificateGeorge Gieger shaking hands with Doug Glenn
Braddock Metallurgical, Inc. received a plaque commemorating this auspicious recognition and a scholarship fund of $1500 from Heat Treat Today that was matched with another $1500 from MTI’s Education Foundation. The heat treater will award this $3000 to a high school or college student who is pursuing an education in heat treat.
Congratulations to Braddock Metallurgical, Inc. on this award.
Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.com
Heat TreatToday offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 13 news items, featuring the Nitrex/AICHELIN Group merger, Super Systems 30th Anniversary, Heat TreatToday’s40 Under 40 Honorees, and more!
Equipment
1. Tenova continued its collaboration with Topy Industries Ltd., starting a Phase II integration of the Tenova acoustic water detection system on the EAF shaft panels.
2. Rheintmetall and Lockheed Martin presented a world first in the field of combat vehicles at the DSEI UK trade fair: the Fuchs JAGM is a highly mobile combat vehicle designed to combat a wide range of threats on land and in the air.
3. SMS Group received final approval from WISCO for the successful modernization of its high-capacity hot strip mill. The project focused on automation upgrades, including X-Pact® Profile, Contour and Flatness Control (PCFC), and new CVC® blocks.
4. Kanthal, a global resistance materials producer, expanded its wire production capacity in Hosur, India. The new 1,980 square meter facility will more than triple its production capacity at the Hosur plant.
Tenova acoustic water detection systemRheinmetall and Lockheed Martin reveal vehicleSMS receives final acceptanceKanthal new facility expansion
Company & Personnel
5. NITREXwill soon be part of the AICHELIN Group. AICHELIN signed an agreement to acquire the NTS & UPC business divisions of NITREX.
6. Phoenix Heat Treating announced their acquisition of Mesa Custom Machining. Mesa Custom will continue to operate as an independent company.
7. Solar Atmospheres of California announced the addition of Eric Cavenee to their Western Region Outside Sales team.
Aichelin acquires NitrexPhoenix Heat TreatingSolar Atmospheres welcomes Eric Cavenee
Kudos
8. Super Systems celebrated their 30th anniversary, which included Bill Thompson (Founder), Steve Thompson (CEO), and Will Thompson (Employee), who are father, son, and grandson.
9. Advanced Heat TreatCorp achieved a 24-Month Nadcap® merit status for heat treatment. The renewed status is valid until November 30, 2027.
10. Wirco celebrated 20 years since acquiring the foundry in Champaign, Illinois. They honored long-tenured retirees at the occasion.
11. Heat Treat Today announced its 40 Under 40Class of 2025 Honorees. The 40 Under 40 initiative is an opportunity for the heat treat community to give loud applause to the ladies and gentlemen rising up as leaders in the North American heat treat industry.
12. The MTI Educational Foundation announced that 17 outstanding students have been awarded scholarships totaling $80,000 to support their pursuit of education and careers in materials science, metallurgy, engineering, and related industrial and technical fields.
13. Trinity Forge — one of Mansfield’s oldest active manufacturers — is celebrating 70 years in business! Founded in 1955, Trinity Forge has grown from a small forging shop into a versatile manufacturer serving industries from aerospace and defense to transportation and heavy equipment.
Relevant Industrial, LLC (Relevant), an industrial equipment and engineered solutions company, has announced its acquisition of Lindberg Process Equipment (Lindberg), a provider of industrial heating and combustion systems. The acquisition adds to Relevant’s geographic presence in the Midwest while expanding its ability to support its clients.
John Carte CEO Relevant Source: Relevant Industrial, LLC
Lindberg’s operations will combine with Relevant’s New Brighton, MN location, adding an established thermal solutions operation. The move allows the company to provide faster response times, improved product availability, and more tailored support to industrial clients across the Midwest.
“This acquisition reinforces our commitment to being close to our customers and equipping them with the products and solutions they need to keep their operations running efficiently,” said John Carte, CEO of Relevant Industrial. “By expanding our thermal solutions capabilities in a key geography, we’re better positioned to deliver timely, practical support.”
Lindberg Process Equipment specializes in industrial heating and combustion systems, including burners, valves, pipe trains, controls, and custom control panels.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Last weekHeat Treat Todayhosted its annual conference, Heat TreatBoot Camp, at the Drury Plaza Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The two day event was chock-full of learning, networking, and enjoying the best Pittsburgh has to offer. Learn more about Heat Treat Boot Camp’slargest year ever below!
Monday, September 15
Monday’s events featured an extravagant rooftop reception where those from the heat treatment industry were able to network, get to know the staff and lecturers on a personal basis, and compete in a lighthearted putt-putt game for a free ticket to next year’s Heat TreatBoot Camp.
The Drury Plaza Hotel is a former Federal Reserve building, and its rooftop patio provided a beautiful view of the city. Some individuals gathered around tables laughing about their shared experiences working with Heat Treat Today’scolumnist Jim Roberts from U.S. Ignition (who everyone agrees is very funny). Others enjoyed cocktails and gazed out over the city, relaxing from their travels into town. Still others collaborated over roast beef and horseradish sauce on how to invent a zippo-style lighter in the shape of a vacuum furnace with 3D printing.
The reception provided a wonderful opportunity to break the ice and ease into the full days of sessions.
Heat Treat Today staff and guests connecting during rooftop receptionDoug Glenn & Thomas Wingens, main speakers for HTBC 2025Rooftop reception dinner and charcuterieA group of representatives from Idemitsu, this year’s Title SponsorRooftop reception at Drury Plaza HotelThomas Wingens greeting groups of attendees
Tuesday, September 16
There were 62 attendees who participated in the sessions, which were located in one of the former bank vaults of the building. The information covered the players, products, processes, markets, materials, and future trends in heat treating. Thomas Wingens of WINGENS CONSULTANTS and Doug Glenn of Heat Treat Today led the sessions.
Tuesday evening included a ride up the Duquesne Incline — one of the few remaining inclines in the country — in a one-hundred year old cable car to Mt. Washington. From there, the group was able to take in Steel City’s amazing views on an observation deck. A short walk from the incline, the group enjoyed a delicious meal at the LeMont, one of Pittsburgh’s iconic restaurants, where its floor to ceiling glass windows dazzled diners with additonal stunning views of downtown Pittsburgh.
Duquesne InclineDuquesne Incline and cable carLeMont Restaurant
Wednesday, September 17
Three additional sessions were held on Wednesday prior to an afternoon of certificates being awarded. The group had one final field trip: an opportunity to visit Penna Flame, a local commercial heat treater in Zelienople, PA. Penna Flame is a third generation family-owned business serving the steel, mining, railroad, and automotive industries among others where they specialize in flame hardening, robotic induction hardening, additive manufacturing, furnaces, and cryogenics. It was a helpful hands on approach, bringing to life some of the processes discussed in the sessions, and enabled those present to see the value of sessions’ information in real time.
At last, the group had to disperse to their hometowns and businesses all over the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Heat Treat Boot Camp was an informative event in which participants enjoyed all aspects of boot camp. Many individuals shared that they would be sending people next year, noting the good balance of learning and networking which took place.
Heat Treat Today staff at Heat Treat Boot Camp 2025
Keep your eyes peeled for information about next year’s Heat Treat Boot Camp2026!
Heat TreatToday original press release, last updated on 09/22/2025 at 4:43am
In today’s News from Abroad installment, we highlight a $46.9 million USD investment for an aluminum recycling expansion, a transition from a gas-fired billet treater plant to electric, and a new $46.9 million USD electric furnace to meet decarbonization efforts.
Heat TreatTodaypartners with two international publications to deliver the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience — manufacturers with in-house heat treat. Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe, and heat processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbH publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets.
€40M for New Aluminum Recycling Capacity
A new recycling facility now covers a third of the Rheinwork site in Germany
“Speira has invested €40M in additional can recycling capacity at its Rheinwerk site, with the aim of reaching CO₂ savings of up to 1.5mt per year. As part of the investment a new melting furnace was installed specifically for scrap at the German site, with production scheduled for early 2026.
“Volker Backs, managing director of Speira, said: ‘Speira has moved away from energy-intensive primary production. This decision was inevitable in light of Germany’s energy policy outlook and our responsibility for the future viability of our entire company. And our transformation into a pure recycling group — a path we began over 20 years ago – has been accelerated once again.'”
Decarbonization Aluminum Upgrade in Strangpresswek
Herren Schatko, Technical Manager of the Neuman Aluminium pressworks and Stefan Krieger, Otto Junker Service Department Source: Furnaces International
“Otto Junker has completed a decarbonisation project at Neuman Aluminium’s Strangpresswerk facility. The companies converted a gas-fired billet heater plant to electric heating — a major step towards climate-neutral production. Originally commissioned as a gas-fired convective billet heater in 2016, the plant has now been modified to the EcoJet type. Neuman Aluminium can now heat its 8-inch aluminium rods with clean, CO₂ free energy. Depending on production throughput, the aluminium rods are heated from ambient temperature to a target temperature of up to 480°C.”
€40 Million Electric Furnace for Decarbonization Efforts
From left to right: District Administrator Roland Grillmeier hands over the permit for the new electric melting tank to Schott CEO Dr Torsten Derr. Source: Schott / Dominik Garban
“Schott has broken ground on its first electrified melting tank in Mitterteich, Germany. The €40 million investment is partially funded by the German government. Schott said the new tank would be a major step in decarbonising pharmaceutical glass production. Using 100% green electricity, the tank will produce Schott’s FIOLAX Pro Optimised Carbon Footprint (OCF) tubing. This could see up to 50% fewer CO2 emissions per vial.
“Schott CEO Dr Torsten Derr said: ‘The transformation of our industry toward decarbonisation and significantly lower-carbon processes begins with concrete projects. This pilot tank is an example that sends a strong signal. We are investing specifically in technology that avoids emissions while also strengthening the competitiveness of our site.’”
Join Heat TreatToday in welcoming a new group of rising industry leaders for the eighth year in a row! Heat Treat Today is honored to recognize forty young professionals in the North American heat treat industry as the 40 Under 40 Class of 2025.
The Heat TreatToday40 Under 40 initiative is an opportunity for the heat treat community to give loud applause to the ladies and gentlemen rising up as leaders in the North American heat treat industry.
We are honored to conduct this annual recognition for the eighth year.
Heat Treat Today publishes twelve print magazines annually and included in each is a letter from the publisher, Doug Glenn. This letter is from theJuly 2025 Heat Treat Super Brands print edition.
The Good Book, the Bible, upon which our nation was founded, is chock full of wisdom. Here’s one: A good name is to be more desired than great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold. That’s from Proverbs 22:1, and the first part of that verse hits at the heart of what the Heat Treat Today team is trying to accomplish this month with the inaugural edition of “Heat Treat Super Brands.” We are taking a moment to recognize the brand names that are prevalent in the North American heat treat and thermal processing market — giving a voice to the many companies in this industry who have invested endless hours building and maintaining the good name and good reputation that they’ve so diligently worked to establish.
Building a Good Name
Building a reputable brand is a long, painstaking process that is not easily accomplished but can be undone in seconds. Building and maintaining that good name is a huge investment of both time and money, and companies have a right to insist that their brand names be respected and used correctly.
Our publication tries to do that very thing, but sometimes we have slip ups for which we feel bad and do all we can to correct. I recall an instance years ago when we used the phrase “trident tube” when referring to a radiant tube. Either BJ or Ben Bernard from Surface Combustion called us and very politely reminded us that Trident™ is a trademark of Surface Combustion. We apologized and quickly corrected ourselves. Their defense of their brand name was well founded.
Countless other companies in the North American heat treat and thermal processing market have also invested blood, sweat, and tears establishing reputable brand names, trade names, and patents, all of which deserve protecting.
Spreading the Word
In the Letter from the Publisher of the April 2025 publication, I wrote, “You Can’t Sell If You Don’t Tell.” The point of that column was to remind our industry suppliers that they can have the best product, technology, or service in the industry, but if they don’t make it known, if they don’t “tell,” it will be nearly impossible to sell. The same is true when it comes to brand names. ere are hundreds of brand names in the North American heat treat market, but not all of them are well known. The only way for these names to become well known is for them to be publicized widely and frequently. The goal, of course, is to become a household name like Kleenex or Coke. In an industrial setting like ours, it is essentially impossible to become a household name, but we can shoot to become well known within the industry.
Heat Treat Today has become a relatively well-known brand in the industry. Why is that? The answer is rather straightforward — Heat Treat Today is consistently in front of thousands of in-house heat treat department personnel, as well as in commercial heat treat shops. We’re there every month with a hardcopy print magazine. We’re there every weekday with our Heat Treat Daily e-newsletter. We’re there 24/7, 365 days a year with the industry’s leading heat treating and thermal processing website, as well as industry e-newsletters and our monthly podcast, Heat Treat Radio. We’re not exactly a household name, but thanks to all of you, people have become comfortable with us because we are seen widely and frequently. That’s what it takes to be a super brand, and we’re here to help the suppliers in our industry reach that status.
This edition of Heat Treat Today that you hold in your hands is our attempt to help those industry suppliers build awareness of their brand names. Please take a minute to flip through this edition and read about some of the Super Brands included. If you are a supplier and are not included in this edition, you can be included in next year’s July edition, which we anticipate will have the same Super Brand focus.
Contact Michelle Ritenour (michelle@heattreattoday.com) if you’d like to be included.
Heat Treat Today offices will be closed today in honor of Labor Day and will reopen on Tuesday, September 2. We hope you enjoy the long weekend with friends and family!
