Heat Treat News

From Furnace To Your Front Door: A Morning in Heat Treatment

/ HARDENING TECHNICAL CONTENT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT TECH, NITROCARBURIZING TECHNICAL CONTENT

Heat treatment impacts almost every facet of our lives, yet few people are aware of how important this practice is to a modern way of living. Heat treatment is a process which changes the microstructure of a metal, such as hardening, carburizing, tempering, and many others.

When a metal is formed, it undergoes heat treatment in order to make it longer lasting, change its structure so that it becomes harder or softer, or reduce the tendancy toward cracking which can form during manufacturing. To help us appreciate the impact of heat treatment on our daily lives, Tiffany Ward, daily editor for Heat Treat Today, has prepared this illustrative post.

Breakfast of Champions

You wake up in the morning and roll yourself out of bed, greeting a foggy sunrise through the window. You stumble to the kitchen to fire up your cast iron skillet.

Cast iron contains a minimum of 2% carbon

At one time, that same cast iron skillet lived a provincial life, known as simply: iron. Cast iron is made from iron with greater than 2% carbon, which is in the form of graphite. When that iron was “cast,” it was melted at a high temperature, and once cooled, it transformed into a very stable material that heats and cools uniformly. Perfect for your sunny-side-up eggs.

At the foundry, someone poured the molten metal into a mold to form the exact shape your pan is in today, and then it underwent numerous heat treat processes: annealing, normalizing, tempering, and even graphitizing (a process of converting carbon into graphite). The particular processes the skillet underwent depend upon the chemistry of the cast iron.

Almost all cast iron has carbon and nitrogen added to its surface in a process called ferritic nitrocarburizing plus post-oxidation. This heat treatment gives a shallow surface layer to the pan for better wear resistance. The skillet is heated up between around 1550°F and 1650°F inside a protective atmosphere of Endothermic gas. Endothermic gas is a generated heat treat atmosphere. It is made up of approximately 40% hydrogen, 40% nitrogen, and 20% carbon monoxide. The Endothermic gas is enriched with both a hydrocarbon gas (i.e., natural gas or propane) and ammonia so that carbon and nitrogen can be added to the iron.

There are a variety of different furnaces that can be used for ferritic nitrocarburizing. Box, pit, and tip-up furnaces are used due to their large capacity. For cast iron skillets, one common choice is the pit furnace — a cylindrical furnace typically located in the floor of a factory. Pit furnaces can hold a lot of heavyweight items, making them a good fit for the cookware now resting on your stove.

Figure Source: Herring, Daniel H., Atmosphere Heat Treatment Volume 1, BNP Media II, LLC, 2014. 

Technical Resource: An Overview of Case Hardening: Which Is Best for Your Operations?

Technical Resource: Nitriding and Nitrocarburizing: The Benefits for Surface Treatment

It Cuts Like a Knife

You pull a knife out of your drawer and begin slicing an apple. The blade reflects a beam of sun from the window, but it isn’t your best knife. You’ve noticed that some of your knives are sharper and can resharpen more easily than others; this is because of the quality of the original material used and the heat treatment process employed in manufacturing the knife.

Perhaps the knife you chose to use today was made from high carbon steel such as 1095. The blade was heat treated using a process of hardening, quenching, and tempering. After the blade was formed, it entered a continuous mesh-belt furnace and was quenched in either oil (in the case of a 1095 steel), or in the case of stainless steel or tool steel, cooled in still air.

Source: Dan Herring, The HERRING GROUP, Inc.
Figure: Batch integral-quench furnace system installation (courtesy of AFC-Holcroft). Dan Herring, The HERRING GROUP, Inc.

At the same time of hardening and quenching, the handle was joined to the blade in a process called brazing. The entire knife was heated up to an austenitizing temperature and rapidly cooled in the quenching process, giving it a particular hardness level.

The hardening process can be performed in a vacuum furnace or an atmosphere furnace. The atmosphere is typically nitrogen or, more commonly, a nitrogen/hydrogen mixture. Another option is nitrogen plus dissociated ammonia (dissociated ammonia is 75% hydrogen, 25% nitrogen).

A typical temperature for the heat treatment of high carbon 1095 steel knives is 1475ºF. Stainless steels are run at higher temperatures, typically in the range of 1800º/1950ºF and tool steels even higher, to around 2200ºF.

Technical resources: Ask the Heat Treat Doctor®: How Does One Determine Which Quench Medium To Use?

Technical Resource: Heat Treat Radio #105: Lunch and Learn: Batch IQ Vs. Continuous Pusher, Part 2

Time to Look Pretty

After breakfast you head to the bathroom. You are anxious to rid yourself of unshaven scruff, carefully running a razor over your face. The razor blades were hardened and tempered for sharpness, so that you get a smooth, clean shave. 

Like knives, razor blades are hardened and are made of a medium to high carbon steel. Unlike knives, they are hardened in a continuous strip form. Envision all of your razor blades as a single, thin strip, run continuously through a furnace to heat and cool them. The blade is heated in a protective atmosphere as it runs through the furnace. On one end of the furnace is a reel that coils the strip and at the other end is an un-coiler.

Continuous style furnaces have alloy tubes inside of them that are very small in diameter, typically one inch, which run the entire length of the furnace. As the razor strip is run through the tube it is exposed to an atmosphere of nitrogen and hydrogen, typically with 3% hydrogen, to protect the razor blade surface from oxidation. Once heated, the blade enters cooling either by surrounding the tube with water or by blowing forced air on the tubes.

A process called tempering follows hardening and quenching. When you harden a material you make it stronger, but less ductile, so there is a concern that the razor blade might break. The tempering process improves ductility, removing some of the hardness but improving flexibility.

Dan Herring, The Heat Treat Doctor®, describes the balancing act this way: “On one end of the teeter totter, metallurgically, are strength properties and on the other side of the teeter-totter are ductility properties. It’s always a challenge to properly balance the teeter-totter. If you get the hardness too high, what happens to the ductility? It’s very low. As a result, the material is super hard but may crack easier. On the other hand, if ductility is too high, the material is super flexible so that it can bend like a branch of a tree in the wind, but it has little strength. You need a balance of strength and ductility in all heat treated products, which is accomplished in part by proper tempering.” 

Technical Resources: Tempering: 4 Perspectives — Which makes sense for you?

Technical Resources: Ask The Heat Treat Doctor®: What Are the Differences Between Intergranular Oxidation (IGO) and Intergranular Attack (IGA)? 

Wake Up and Smell The Heat treatment

Our lives are touched by heat treatment at every turn. Highly technical processes play their role in the formation of even the most common household items. While heat treatment may seem to some a niche industry, its impact on everyday life is ubiquitous.

A special note of thanks to Dan Herring, The Heat Treat Doctor®, for his insights and contributions which informed this post.

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Alumni Spotlight: 40 Under 40 Leaders Continue to Inspire

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Each year, the 40 Under 40 initiative at Heat Treat Today recognizes 40 rising young leaders (ages 40 and younger) in heat treat who are going above and beyond in the industry.

To learn more about what makes someone a quality candidate for this honor, read below to hear from the individuals themselves — alumni of Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 — as they share personal updates and industry insights.

Click this link to nominate yourself, or someone you know, by June 27, 2025.

Larissa Costa

When she was nominated for Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 in 2024, Larissa Costa was a metallurgist with Nucor Steel Brandenburg, she had a PhD, and had already served in her industry for ten years. Now she shares an encouraging update about milestones since her nomination and the role mentorships play in the industry.

“The most exciting milestone I recently reached was developing all the quenching recipes for the continuous heat treatment line at Nucor Steel Brandenburg. Developing the heat treatment process, especially the quenching recipes from scratch in a green steel mill is not something usual. Therefore, having the opportunity of developing recipes for quenching in a continuous line is very rewarding and it was an important milestone for both Nucor Steel Brandenburg and my career itself. At the continuous heat treatment line we heat treat steel plates with grades varying from structural to abrasion resistant, with a large range of thicknesses that varies from 3/16” – 4.”

Sharing about the role mentors played in her success, Larissa said, “Yes, I had some good mentors in my career and they definitely had an impact in how I develop my work. Two things I learned with respect to technical abilities that I use on a daily basis are: 

  1. Make sure that you’re expressing yourself in a way that everyone can understand, independent of their background or technical knowledge. 
  1. Always support your discussions, ideas, plans, and projects by data and technical information.”

When asked what advice she would give to young professionals entering the heat treating industry, she replied: “Keep your mind sharp. Discuss technical aspects with your peers and teammates, explore, investigate, study, review things that you learned, keep yourself updated. Understanding how your material was processed before the heat treatment can be the key to mitigate issues you might face after the heat treatment. The previous steps in production can impact in the mechanical and metallurgical properties, residual stresses, distortion, and consequently the lifetime of your final product.”

Trevor Gibson

Trevor Gibson was a Heat Treat Today 40 Under 40 Class of 2023 honoree. He had been in his field for 11 years, and was the lead materials engineer at Dana Incorporated. Trevor shared more about his recent achievements, and how he has grown over the past five years as a heat treater.

“Recently, I have remained steadily busy. With higher demands for power density through various parts, continuing to educate others in regards to various heat treat and materials has been at the forefront of my responsibilities. I would say that it has driven more creativity in how we look at conventional processes. 

“Over the past five years I have gone from a simple engineer to a lead engineer at Dana. I have been working with the global teams in everything from materials selection and design all the way to helping troubleshoot heat treating issues at our various plants globally.”

When asked what the most enjoyable part of heat treating is, Trevor responded, “Definitely the people. There is always someone willing to help out when you have issues. Whether it is from furnace, controls, induction, or commercial heat treaters, you can always message or call people up when you are having an issue, and they are more than willing to take time out of their day to support.”

Heat Treat Today’s 40 Under 40 Authors

Check out some of the technical content that 40 Under 40 alumni have published with Heat Treat Today over the years:

Chad Beamer – 40 Under 40 profile

Michelle Bennett – 40 Under 40 profile

Alberto Cantú – 40 Under 40 profile

John Chesna – 40 Under 40 profile

Heather Falcone – 40 Under 40 profile

Humberto Ramos Fernández – 40 Under 40 profile

Brian Flynn – 40 Under 40 profile

  • Heat Treat Radio #84: Heat Treat Tomorrow — Digital Security with 4 Industry Experts

Scott Fogle – 40 Under 40 profile

Ben Gasbarre – 40 Under 40 profile

Josh Hale – 40 Under 40 profile

Mike Harrison – 40 Under 40 profile

Kyle Hummel – 40 Under 40 profile

Caleb Johnson – 40 Under 40 profile

Trevor Jones – 40 Under 40 profile

Brynna Keelin Kelly-McGrath – 40 Under 40 Profile

Katelyn Kirsch – 40 Under 40 profile

Kelly Peters – 40 Under 40 profile

Don Marteeny – 40 Under 40 profile

Jonathan McKay – 40 Under 40 profile

Aniket Maske – 40 Under 40 profile

Ellen Conway Merrill – 40 Under 40 profile

Casey O’Neill – 40 Under 40 Profile

Shawn Orr – 40 Under 40 profile

Alberto Ramirez – 40 Under 40 profile

Mark Rhoa Jr. – 40 Under 40 Profile

Justin Rydzewski – 40 Under 40 profile

Humberto Torres Sánchez – 40 Under 40 profile

Justin Sims – 40 Under 40 profile

Bryan Stern – 40 Under 40 profile

Ryan Sybo – 40 Under 40 profile

Josh Tucker – 40 Under 40 Profile

Sasha Tupalo – 40 Under 40 profile

Andy Wilkosz – 40 Under 40 profile

Nic Willis – 40 Under 40 profile

Ben Witoff – 40 Under 40 profile

Víctor Zacarías – 40 Under 40 profile

Erika Zarazúa – 40 Under 40 profile

Find heat treating products and services when you search on Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

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Tariffs, Supply Chains, & Heat Treating 

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, PUBLISHER'S PAGE

Heat Treat Today publishes twelve print magazines annually and included in each is a letter from the publisher, Doug Glenn. This letter is from the June 2025 Buyers Guide print edition.

Feel free to contact Doug at doug@heattreattoday.com if you have a question or comment. 

The Age of Tariffs 

In 2025, procuring nearly anything has become a bit more “interesting,” shall we say, with the complete and total shake up of the world’s economy with hasty and heavy tariffs imposed by the U.S. on the rest of the world. 

For posterity, let me record a few basic facts about what is happening. On April 2, 2025, newly re-elected U.S. President, Donald J. Trump, imposed what was described as “reciprocal tariffs” on nearly every country in the world. April 2 was chosen because President Trump did not want people to think that he was just kidding by imposing the tariffs on April 1, April Fools’ Day. All previous trade agreements were instantly and unilaterally eliminated. 

The tariffs were, in fact, not truly reciprocal as one might simply understand that word. Instead, each nation’s actual tariffs were combined with their trade deficit and currency manipulation and then divided in half to arrive at what President Trump called “U.S.A. Discounted Reciprocal Tariffs.” No country escaped. Everyone had at least a 10% tariff. China was hit with a 34% reciprocal tariff – their calculated tariff was 67%. India received a 26% reciprocal tariff – their calculated tariff was 52%. 

Roughly a week later, while the world was still reeling, all tariffs were reduced to 10% assuming the country did not retaliate. Only one country retaliated – China. China’s tariffs have ranged as high as 145% and as low as 30% as the two countries struggle to come to an agreement. It is safe to describe the relationship between the two countries as very tense. 

Understanding Tariffs 

Before exploring how these tariffs might impact the North America heat treating and thermal processing markets, let me first make two recommendations for anyone wanting to learn more about tariffs and good, sound economics. 

  1. The best book I’ve ever read about tariffs is an old classic book written by Frederic Bastiat entitled, Economic Sophisms. The book is spot on and simple and shows how tariffs are not generally helpful from an economic perspective. Bastiat was also the author of another great, short book called The Law. I recommend both. 
  2. Another excellent book that discusses tariffs is Henry Hazlitt’s Economics in One Lesson, especially chapter eleven, “Who’s ‘Protected’ by Tariffs.” 

Of course, economics aren’t the only reason a country imposes tariffs. Preserving industries critical to national defense is one such non-economic reason often cited for imposing tariffs. 

The Upside of Tariffs 

So, what are the potential impacts of tariffs on the North American thermal processing industry? Given that tariffs are, in essence, a tax, there are few true economic gains to be made. However, it is very possible that our commercial heat treater brothers and sisters may benefit significantly from tariffs, especially if more and more manufacturing returns to the U.S. This return of manufacturing would also potentially benefit many oven, furnace, and induction equipment manufacturers, as well as component suppliers. Any increase in manufacturing State-side will bode well for industry suppliers. 

The Downside of Tariffs 

The potential downsides are legion. The most notable? Instead of stimulating manufacturing in the U.S., it is possible that tariffs will start to significantly impact exports. If that happens, manufacturing will take it on the chin due to artificially restricted demand. Not only would this hurt many of the companies that read this publication and perform their own in-house thermal processing, but it will have the trickle-down effect of drying up demand for new furnaces, ovens, and components. 

Tariffs also could be a real boon for furnace and oven manufacturers located within the borders of the U.S. Assuming the tariffs persist (which is doubtful), companies building furnaces in the U.S. will have a significant competitive advantage. However, the opposite is true for furnace manufacturers who build internationally and ship their equipment into the U.S. Currently, there are a significant number of international furnace manufacturers doing business in the U.S. These companies are at risk. 

The Real Goal of Trump’s Tariffs 

If the real goal of Trump’s tariffs is to lower all tariffs everywhere, this whole tariff chapter should end well, ultimately. If, however, President Trump really does “loooove tariffs” as he has claimed, the new Golden Age will not be as golden as it might have been. 

Doug Glenn
Publisher
Heat Treat Today

For more information: Contact Doug at doug@heattreattoday.com

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10 News Chatter to Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 10 news items, featuring a new steel mill in Alabama, a 46% carbon emissions reduction validation, a sweet farewell to an industry leader, and more!

Equipment

1. Solar Atmospheres of Michigan expanded with new air tempering and cryogenic equipment including a 6’6” wide × 4’ high × 14’ long car-bottom air furnace, with a robust weight capacity of 30,000 pounds and temperature uniformity within ±10°F from 300°F to 1400°F

2. Alleima’s Kanthal division and Danieli is slated to supply the first electric process gas heater for commercial use at Emsteel’s Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) plant in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

3. SMS group supplied open-die forging press to Jiuli Yongxing in China, creating a fully integrated forging line to increase production capacity. The press utilized an open-die forging process that improves the microstructural quality of materials through grain refinement, with forging accuracy of approximately ±1 millimeter.

4. Dynavac designed a thermal vacuum system for validating spacecraft performance and reliability. The system operates under high vacuum conditions while providing temperature control from -185°C (-301°F) to 150°C (302°F).

Solar Atmospheres of Michigan expanded with new equipment
Alleima’s Kanthal division and Danieli to supply electric gas heater
SMS group supplies open-die forging press
Dynavac provides furnace for aerospace testing

Company & Personnel

5. Hydro signed a long-term agreement with power cable solutions provider NKT, under which Hydro will supply NKT with low-carbon aluminum for the production of wire rod.

6. SSAB received a $4.3 million in tax incentives to support its $74 million expansion project: a steel plant in Alabama.

7. Nitrex announced two new company leadership promotions: Kurt Willms as sales director of Americas and Asia, and Marcin Stoklosa as sales director of Europe and Middle East.

8. ECM USA announced the retirement of William (Bill) Gornicki following 35 years of distinguished service in the heat treat industry.

Hydro to provide low-carbon aluminum for wire rod
SSAB received a $4.3 million to support steel plant expansion
Nitrex announces new leadership
William (Bill) Gornicki retired from ECM/USA after 35 Years

Kudos

9. Bodycote achieved Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validation for an enhanced carbon reduction target of 46% in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 – compared to a 2019 baseline.

10. SECO/WARWICK celebrated 15 years of operations in China, after beginning in 2010.

Bodycote achieves SBTi validation for carbon reduction target
SECO/WARWICK celebrated 15 years of operations in China

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11 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 11 news items, featuring new manufacturing hubs and facilities, a finished spacecraft, honoring of anniversaries, celebration of awards, and more!

Equipment

  1. Ipsen announces the launch of its seventh regional Service HUB, strategically located to support customers in East Texas, as well as parts of Oklahoma and Louisiana. Officially launched in April 2025, the new HUB provides regional customers with a single point of contact for routine maintenance, preventative service, and technical support.
  2. Lockheed Martin reported it has completed assembly and testing for the Orion Artemis II spacecraft, a manned mission that will flight-test NASA’s deep-space exploration system around the Moon. The spacecraft has been transferred to NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team, the defense group added.
  3. Nitrex in Aurora, IL built their largest, gas nitriding furnace. The furnace processes parts up to 4.5 meters in diameter (15 feet) and weighing up to 40 tons, while adhering to AMS2759/10 & 12 quality standards.
Ipsen Opens New Service Hub
Lockheed Martin completed Orion Artemis II Source: American Machinist
Nitrex produces gas nitriding furnace

Company & Personnel

  1. Hubbard-Hall is strengthening its technical support in the Northeast with the addition of three experienced field professionals and a new laboratory technician. Ted Antonellis, who joins as manager of laboratory and plating operations, Stephanie Canales, who joins as a laboratory technician; Bukola Adeyemi and Travis Hilton who were both appointed as application specialists to support metal finishing customers in the Northeast.
  2. Solar Atmospheres is acquiring a 29,504-square-foot Berlin manufacturing building, furthering its expansion into the New England market.
  3. Ontario Power Generation has been cleared for construction and is set to begin building North America’s first commercial SMR at Darlington. This brings a vision to reality with Ontario’s first new nuclear build in over 30 years. 
  4. MetalTek International honored the work anniversaries of 23 dedicated workers, including Al Ebert celebrating 41 years, Barry Craig celebrating 38 years, Gene Weaver celebrating 37 years, and Jim Bostrom celebrating 15 years.
  5. Pratt & Whitney (owned by RTX Corporation), an American aerospace manufacturer, has developed and launched a new additive manufacturing solution for repairing critical components on the GTF engine. The state-of-the-art repair technology is based on Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and is expected to reduce repairing times by over 60%.
Hubbard Hall Expands with New Hires
Solar Atmospheres Acquires New Manufacturing Facility
Ontario Power Generation Set to Build First SMR in Darlington
MetalTek Honors Work Anniversaries
Pratt and Whitney Develop New Solution For Engine Repair

Kudos

  1. Phoenix Heat Treating announces the addition of a third Certified Laboratory Control at Source Representative (CLCSR) to its team, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in aerospace heat treatment and material control. The designation plays a critical role in ensuring rigorous material control and process integrity across the supply chain.
  2. Bodycote was named as one of Europe’s Climate Leaders (2025) by Financial Times and Statista. This is the second year in a row that Bodycote have been named for this list.
  3. Nitrex heat-treating facility in Querétaro, Mexico has successfully passed its latest Nadcap audit – and has been awarded an 18-month Merit Extension for outstanding performance in heat treating services.
Phoenix Heat Treating Adds Pratt & Whitney LCS
Bodycote was listed as one of Europe’s Climate Leaders
Nitrex Receives Nadcap Merit Extension

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IHEA Announces 2025-26 Board of Directors & Executive Officers

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

The Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) has announced its 2025-26 Board of Directors and Executive Officers. Established in 1929 to meet the need for effective group action in promoting the interests of industrial furnace manufacturers, IHEA has expanded and currently includes designers and manufacturers of all types of industrial heat processing equipment used for the melting, refining and heat processing of ferrous and nonferrous metals, certain nonmetallic materials, and the heat-treatment of products made from them.

Gary Berwick, Dry Coolers
Gary Berwick, Dry Coolers

For 2025-26, taking over as president is Gary Berwick of Dry Coolers, Inc.; vice-president is Jason Safarz of Karl Dungs, Inc., and treasurer is Bob Fincken of Super Systems, Inc. Jeff Rafter of Selas Heat Technology Co. LLC will assume the past president position.

IHEA also welcomes a new face to the Board of Directors, Chad Spore of John Deere. Chad has been an active member of IHEA for the past several years, especially supporting IHEA’s sustainability and decarbonization efforts. Chad is the enterprise materials engineering supervisor for John Deere where he has been employed for more than 25 years. “Chad has been a wealth of knowledge supporting IHEA’s Industrial Heating Decarbonization SUMMIT,” notes IHEA Executive Vice-President Anne Goyer. “His insight into our program development is helping us produce an even better SUMMIT for 2025. We are grateful for his time and expertise.”

Rounding out the lineup of IHEA’s Board of Directors for 2025-2026, the following members continue their tenure:

Chad Spore
John Deere

Press release is available in its original form here.

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News From Abroad: A Collaboration for Reuse Strategy, All-in-One Machines, & Steel Manufacturing Expansion

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

In today’s News from Abroad installment, we highlight new partnerships and technology aimed at efficiency and sustainability; a multi-organization collaborative work on a hybrid facility, an all-in-one machine that performs hot and cold forming for screws, tubes, and spokes, and a Turkish steel expansion doubling production. Read more below!

Heat Treat Today partners 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.

A collaboration for an innovative reuse strategy

Source: Adobe Stock

“To support the growing activity at its Valenciennes site, Stellantis has chosen ECM Technologies to assist with the relocation and retrofitting of a heat treatment installation for vacuum carburizing. Scheduled to be fully operational in 2025, this hybrid facility, composed of reused, retrofitted and new components, reduces Stellantis’ carbon footprint while increasing its production and the performance of its industrial equipment. Stellantis has around 15 ECM Technologies “Flex” low-pressure carburizing units spread across its various sites. To support the production needs of its Valenciennes site, the company has decided to give a new lease of life to a line already in service within the group by entrusting ECM with the implementation of the project: relocation, reuse, updating of equipment, acquisition of new components (latest-generation gas quenching module), and conversion of furnaces from propane to acetylene, Bringing the performance of the entire hybrid system up to state-of-the-art standards. Another major factor is that this installation is part of the energy transition, as this transformation will enable the production of mechanical parts for electric vehicles, whereas previously the facility was dedicated to the production of manual gearboxes for combustion engine vehicles.”

READ MORE: Stellantis and ECM Technologies: An exemplary collaboration for an innovative reuse strategy at prozesswaerme.net

All-In-One Machine: Cold And Hot Forming

Due to the high forming forces required, the heads of larger screws are heated inductively
Source: VIP Communication

“Aachener Maschinenbau GmbH (AMBA) has so far been known for its all-in-one machines for the production of components such as screws, tubes and spokes by cold forming. What is new is that the company is integrating more and more technologies into its systems that enable operators to produce components such as special screws or pipes with variable cross-sections more efficiently. A current example is the integration of induction heating in the forming of large screws. With new systems, AMBA enables customers to produce more components with complex geometries according to the all-in-one principle and thus reduce costs. In doing so, the company goes beyond traditional cold forming and integrates innovative technologies, including for hot forming.”

READ MORE: AMBA offers new possibilities for efficient production: cold and hot forming of screws, tubes and spokes at prozesswaerme.net

Concast continuous casters to increase billet and bloom production capacities

İzmir Demir Çelik Sanayi A.Ş (IDC) has ordered a seven-strand continuous caster for its facility in Aliağa, İzmir, Türkiye. The SMS caster is designed to produce billets and small blooms in six distinct section sizes (Source: SMS group)

“İzmir Demir Çelik Sanayi A.Ş (IDC), a manufacturer of reinforcing steel and profiles, has expanded its steelworks with a Concast seven-strand continuous caster at its plant in Aliağa, İzmir, Türkiye. This new machine provides izmir Demir Çelik with the flexibility to efficiently meet diverse market demands, while also increasing production capacity and enhancing the quality of billets and blooms. The installation of the new continuous casting plant significantly expands izmir Demir Çelik’s annual steel production output from 1,550,000 tons to approximately 3,100,000 tons. This increase enables IDC to meet growing market demands more effectively while reducing its dependence on imported semi-finished products. The new caster’s ability to produce billets and small blooms in six distinct section sizes, ranging from 150×150 millimeters to 220×280 millimeters, gives IDC the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing market needs . . . Internal quality is enhanced through electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) and modular wave stirring (MWS) technologies, which guarantee a homogeneous internal structure. Additionally, precise strand guidance, accurate cooling spray alignment, and a three-zone secondary cooling system further improve billet and bloom quality. This innovative setup enables IDC to produce high-quality steel products efficiently while reducing operational costs and meeting diverse market demands.”

READ MORE: izmir Demir Çelik Sanayi A.Ş. uses Concast continuous casters to increase billet and bloom production capacities at prozesswaerme.net

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11 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ Featured, HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 11 news items.

Equipment

  1. The U.S. Navy’s Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (NFPC) delivered the final major propulsor component for the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). This project resulted in multiple record-breaking pours for nonferrous castings in the U.S. The largest casting was over 260,000 pounds and is already at GDEB for installation. Collectively, NFPC poured nearly 1 million pounds of bronze.
  2. BENTELER plans to upgrade its CARTA® automation system to SMS group’s next-generation CARTA®neo SRM Technology System, which includes updated crop end control (CEC) and wall thickness control (WTC). This modernization will safeguard system availability and improve product quality and operational productivity. The technology will be utilized by BENTELER Steel/Tube GmbH & Co KG, a manufacturer of seamless and welded tubes.  
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (NFPC) delivered the final major propulsor component for the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). Source: Navsea
BENTELER to upgrade its CARTA® automation system for use in BENTELER Steel/Tube GmbH & Co KG, a manufacturer of seamless and welded tubes.  

Company & Personnel

  1. Hubbard-Hall is pleased to announce that Richard “Rick” Spicer has joined the company as Director of Specialty Sales. With over 30 years of experience in sales leadership, business development, and customer relationship management, Spicer takes a process-driven approach to sales, helping customers improve efficiency and achieve their goals. 
  2. Tenova has been awarded a contract by Marcegaglia Gazoldo Inox to modernize and restart its 20-Hi Cold Rolling Mill at the Gazoldo degli Ippoliti plant in Mantua, Italy. The revamping will include the implementation of advanced Level 1 and Level 2 automation, a next generation Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and Machine Learning Applications for optimizing the rolling pass schedule. The upgraded mill will achieve higher rolling accuracy, improved process stability, and enhanced operational reliability.  
  3. SSAB has awarded SMS Group an Early Services Agreement for the delivery of the cold rolling complex at its steel production facility in Luleå, Sweden. This project marks a significant step towards sustainable steel production, underscoring SSAB’s commitment to green technologies and processes. The equipment will enable SSAB to meet the growing demand for third generation advanced high-strength steels (AHSS).
  4. Coolbrook and Tenova joined forces to drive CO2-free Iron, Steel and Other Metals Production. The two companies partnered to deploy RDH™ technology for electrifying high-temperature metal processes to cut CO2 emissions. 
  5. Cambridge Heat Treating in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada just celebrated their 40th anniversary of being in business. Cambridge Heat Treating was founded in 1982 by Bob Robbins, and is currently operated by Peter Robbins and Cheryl Mortimer. 
  6. CG Thermal celebrated 15 years as a company. This success is built on more than 200 years of combined experience from their team of industry veterans who previously held senior positions at The Carborundum Company, Pfaudler, and Metaullics Systems Co. 
  7. OTTO JUNKER Czech Republic celebrates 30 years in business. The company was founded in 1995 with the goal of serving the global market.
Rick Spicer has joined Hubbard-Hall as the Director of Specialty Sales
Tenova has been awarded a contract by Marcegaglia Gazoldo Inox to modernize and restart its 20-Hi Cold Rolling Mill
SSAB has awarded SMS group an Early Services Agreement for a cold rolling complex at its steel production facility
Coolbrook and Tenova partnered to cut CO2 emissions.
Cambridge Heat Treating in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada celebrated their 40th anniversary
CG Thermal celebrated 15 years as a company
OTTO JUNKER Czech Republic celebrates 30 years in business.

Kudos

  1. Gasbarre has been recognized as a Sustaining Member of ASM International on March 10th. Daniel Hill, P.E. of Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems was in attendance to represent Gasbarre. ASM International is the world’s largest association of materials-centric engineers and scientists, committed to advancing industry knowledge and innovation.  
  2. Expanite achieved a 370x reduction in wear rate for Titanium Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V). This improvement was verified through the ASTM g133 standard test method.  
Gasbarre has been recognized as a Sustaining Member of ASM International
Expanite achieved a 370x reduction in wear rate for Titanium Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V).

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10 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 10 news items.

Equipment

  1. Aichelin recently delivered a vacuum furnace to Bodycote‘s heat treatment and specialist thermal processing plant in Vantaa (Finland). The furnace with a usable space of 600 x 900 x 600 mm and a maximum batch weight of 1,000 kg was tailored to the company’s requirements. In this collaboration between the two companies, Bodycote has selected Aichelin to supply equipment that aligns with its vision for advanced and sustainable vacuum technology for industrial heat treatment.
  2. Two electrically heated two-zone curing conveyor ovens with cool-down sections have expanded the operations of an industrial manufacturer. The ovens, supplied by Wisconsin Oven Corporation, will be used for curing adhesive material between parts.
  3. Gruenberg announced the shipment of an industrial electrically heated cabinet oven to a company that manufactures products for the medical device industry. The furnace will be used for curing material used in the products. 
  4. Qinghai Xigang New Materials Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Xining Special Steel, has signed a contract with SMS group for a PSM380 mill upgrade and technical outsourcing services. The transaction comprises a comprehensive upgrade and related maintenance services for the PSM380 (Precision Sizing Mill) mill used to roll special steel bars and is aimed at enhancing the mill’s production efficiency and product quality. In additional news: Kardemir Karabük Demir Çelik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş has acquired a five-strand combi-continuous caster from SMS Concast, a company of SMS group, to upgrade production capabilities at its its integrated steel plant at the Karabük site in Türkiye. El Marakby Steel, an Egyptian manufacturer of deformed bars and wire rod, is increasing production capacity by contracting SMS to upgrade the existing SMS minimill at its 6th of October site. Baosteel Desheng Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group, announces the completion of a vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) plant by SMS group. The VOD system represents a crucial component of the steel producer’s strategic expansion, designed to enhance the facility’s capacity for producing specialty steels by employing secondary metallurgical processes. SMS group has also completed the automation system upgrade of hot strip mill no. 1 at PT Krakatau Steel (Persero), Tbk. (PTKS) in Cilegon, Indonesia.
Vacuum furnace delivered to Bodycote’s heat treatment and specialist thermal processing plant by Aichelin
Cooling groups operating as part of the laminar cooling system for Colako
Low-carbon extrusion ingot for the European construction and automotive industries produced at Husnes
Qinghai Xigang New Materials Co., Ltd., with PSM380 mill upgrade and technical outsourcing services
A five-strand combi-continuous caster at Kardemir Karabük Demir Çelik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş acquired from SMS Concast
El Marakby Steel production capacity increased with upgrade at existing SMS minimill
Vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) plant at Baosteel Desheng Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., completed
Automation system of hot strip mill no. 1 upgraded at PT Krakatau Steel (Persero)

Company & Personnel

  1. Ipsen has announced the promotion of Evan Hundley to retrofits manager and the appointment of Lu Chouraki as field service manager. As retrofits manager, Hundley will lead the Retrofits Team to improve response times, streamline pricing and proposals, and provide tailored solutions that extend equipment lifespan and efficiency. As field service manager, Chouraki will oversee all regional service managers and field service engineers, focusing on streamlining processes, improving response times, and enhancing customer support. He will also drive the continued expansion of the company’s HUBs and develop his team into subject matter experts.
  2. Steve Sparkowich has been appointed as the new chief commercial officer (CCO) at Titan International Inc., a manufacturer and recycler of specialty metal products based in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, effective immediately. In his new role as CCO, Steve will oversee the company’s commercial strategy, drive business development, and strengthen relationships with key clients across industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, semiconductor, and defense.
  3. Thomas Wingens, founder and president of WINGENS CONSULTANTS and an internationally recognized expert in the thermal processing and metallurgy industry, has been named an advisor to the Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). As industrial advisor to CHTE, Thomas will provide strategic guidance in business development and assist with CHTE’s project research portfolio.
  4. IperionX Limited has announced the appointment of Tony Tripeny as non-executive director and current IperionX non-executive director Lorraine Martin as lead independent director. Mr. Tripeny currently serves as a director at Mesa Laboratories and Origin Materials. Currently serving as president and CEO of the National Safety Council, Ms. Martin is also a director at Kennametal, a global materials science firm.
Evan Hundley
Retrofits Manager
Ipsen USA
Lu Chouraki
Field Service Manager
Ipsen USA
Steve Sparkowich
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Titan International Inc
Thomas Wingens
President
Wingens Consultants
Industrial Advisor
Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE)

Kudos

  1. Advanced Heat Treat Corp recognizes the AHT Michigan team members who have completed professional training and earned new certifications: Chad Clark for Practical Approach to Supply Chain Management, Tom Broman for Supervisor Skills 1.0 and 2.0, Jeff Machincinski for Introduction to Pyrometery, and Jesse Hyder for Practical Interpretation of Microstructures.
  2. The OTTO JUNKER Academy has offered a professional training program regarding planning, modernization, operation, repair and maintenance of industrial furnaces for over 10 years. Since 2014, the instruction covers induction melting and heat treatment of metal as well as universal subjects such as economic and energy efficiency.
Chad Clark
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
Tom Broman
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
Jeff Machincinski
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
Jesse Hyder
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
OTTO JUNKER Academy professional training program

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Heat Treat Economic Indicators: March 2025 Results

/ HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS

The four heat treat industry-specific economic indicators have been gathered by Heat Treat Today each month since June 2023. As the northern hemisphere looks to warmer weather, a positive outlook is reflected in three of the four economic indicators compiled in the first week of March.

Heat treat industry suppliers anticipate the economy in March to experience growth in number of inquiries, value of bookings, and size of backlog, however there is a net decrease compared to February. This is particularly shown in the economic indicators where suppliers to the North American heat treat industry expect no change over previous months in health of the manufacturing economy.

The results from this month’s survey (March) are as follows; numbers above 50 indicate growth, numbers below 50 indicate contraction, and the number 50 indicates no change:

  • Anticipated change in Number of Inquiries from February to March: 61.1
  • Anticipated change in Value of Bookings from February to March: 58.8
  • Anticipated change in Size of Backlog from February to March: 59.5
  • Anticipated change in Health of the Manufacturing Economy from February to March: 50.0

Data for March 2025

The four index numbers are reported monthly by Heat Treat Today and made available on the website. 

Heat Treat Today’s Economic Indicators measure and report on four heat treat industry indices. Each month, approximately 800 individuals who classify themselves as suppliers to the North American heat treat industry receive the survey. Above are the results. Data started being collected in June 2023. If you would like to participate in the monthly survey, please click here to subscribe.

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