Heat Treat Today has gathered the four heat treat industry-specific economic indicators for November 2025. The November industry-specific economic indicators reinforce the overall trend toward growth that began in September of 2025.
November’s industry-specific economic indicators showed all four indices in growth. The Inquiries stayed in growth, rising to 56.5 (from 50.6 in October). Bookings rose to 55.0 (from 50.7 in October). The Backlog index rose out of contraction to 55.0 (up from 47.5 in October). Finally, the Health of the Manufacturing Economy index remained in growth at 56.5 (up from 52.8 in October).
All of the graphs suggest that the undercurrent of growth, which began in late summer, is continuing to rise as we look to the end of the year.
The results from this month’s survey (November) 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 October to November:56.5
Anticipated change in Value of Bookings from October to November: 55.0
Anticipated change in Size of Backlog from October to November: 55.0
Anticipated change in Health of the Manufacturing Economy from October to November: 56.5
Data for November 2025
The four index numbers are reported monthly by Heat Treat Today and made available on the website.
Heat TreatToday’sEconomic Indicatorsmeasure 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.
Heat Treat Today publishes twelve print magazines annually and included in each is a letter from the publisher, Doug Glenn. This letter is from theOctober 2025 Ferrous & Nonferrous Heat Treatments/Mill Processing print edition.
Karen Gantzer, associate publisher, and I recently visited a manufacturing plant with an extensive, in-house heat treat operation. We don’t often visit captive heat treat operations even though the vast majority of our audience are, in fact, captive heat treaters — manufacturers with their own in-house heat treat capabilities.
The conversation we had with the two heat treat specialists that hosted us was wide-ranging and enlightening. One of the topics was the rationale used for purchasing new thermal processing equipment. They have two mesh belt furnaces and a small number of integral quench furnaces. All the furnaces came from the same supplier.
We asked them straight up, “Why did you buy from this supplier and not from others?” The answer was instructive not only for furnace manufacturers, but for all suppliers in the industry.
What Didn’t Matter
While the three points listed below had some influence, these were not as important to the captive as many furnace manufacturers believe:
Price. In fact, they outright told us that they did not buy the least expensive equipment. When company purchasing agents get involved, the decision-making process is complicated, but with this mid-sized company, the two key decision makers — the two guys who spent time with us — assured us that price was not the main driver behind their decision.
Equipment and controls features. Features were not unimportant, but they were not the driving factor. Each company that bid for the job had slightly different solutions making it difficult to compare features. Our hosts told us that several of the designs would have worked. They chose one, but it was not because they preferred that design over the others.
Quality. What exactly does “quality” mean? If ever there was an overused marketing word, “quality” is it! Quality was not a determining factor in the purchase of the heat treating equipment. All of the equipment was “quality” equipment… whatever that means.
What Mattered
There were two key factors that swayed the decision for this captive heat treater:
1. Responsiveness was the #1 reason why this captive heat treater chose this furnace manufacturer. Responsiveness took several forms. First, during the bidding process, the manufacturer set itself apart by being prompt and creative with design changes. They obviously listened to what the captive heat treater was saying and responded in a timely fashion with alterations/solutions that demonstrated understanding. Second, the ability to reach the “top guy” at the furnace manufacturer day or night brought a level of comfort that heavily tilted the scales in their favor. Both guys indicated that they had the president’s cell number in their phones — not on speed dial, because that’s not necessary — but in their phones just in case. And they’ve used that number multiple times with good results. Finally, the furnace manufacturer continues to be responsive even after the equipment has been installed and commissioned. If there is something new or different the guys want to do, they call the furnace manufacturer, speak to a real person, they are heard, and they get a response in a timely fashion.
2. Location was the second most important reason. Here’s why. First, the buyers were happy to be stimulating the U.S. economy and, more specifically, the regional economy. Second, they felt that a geographically close furnace manufacturer would be more capable of providing speedy service and parts if and when those items became necessary. Third, proximity allowed the buyer to inexpensively visit the furnace builder for manufacturing progress updates. And finally, a domestic manufacturer eliminated tariff concerns.
Obviously, a furnace manufacturer can’t be geographically close to all their clients. However, alleviating concerns about parts and service, accommodating on-site progress visits throughout the furnace manufacturing process, and manufacturing as much as possible in the U.S. would all be steps in the right direction.
All this to say, it is not so much the hard inputs like engineering, manufacturing, and finance that persuade customers to make a purchase. Rather, it is the softer inputs — the human elements — that help furnace buyers become comfortable, giving you a leg up on your competition. Comfort is an emotion… and as we all know and agree, “Everyone always buys emotionally all the time.”
Doug Glenn Publisher Heat TreatToday For more information: Contact Doug at doug@heattreattoday.com
Heat Treat Todaypublishes twelve print magazines a year and included in each is a letter from the editor. This letter is from the September 2025 Annual People of Heat Treatprint edition. In today’s letter,Bethany Leone, managing editor at Heat Treat Today, shares about the value of people in the heat treatment publication industry, highlighting individuals in the Heat Treat Today family.
We’re in business because people matter. Heat treating just happens to be our industry — which means we like making things hot (and then cold). But at our core, our business is people.
The Business of People
When I ask someone their favorite thing about the heat treating industry, most of the time, the answer is “the people.” Engineers, operations managers, sales reps, and operators all echo the theme.
Why is that? Maybe it’s the strong family values found in many family-founded, family-run operations. Or maybe the behind-the-scenes nature of the discipline draws a more people-focused crowd. It could be that the slower-paced, deliberate innovation attracts people motivated by collaboration more than competition. I’m not sure.
For whatever reason, it is a hallmark to our industry that those from various backgrounds and experiences can come to feel like family.
Welcome to the Family
Over the past year, we’ve welcomed several new individuals to the Heat Treat Todayfamily. Each of them provides essential skills and abilities to making this publication helpful to you.
Jake Romano joined us in the summer of 2024. He embodies so many of our core values that it feels like he’s been here longer than just a year. Jake’s detailed eye for creative problem-solving has allowed our Heat Treat Radio podcast to reach new heights, funneling robust interviews to you seamlessly every month. He never fails to step up to the plate if time is of the essence and does so with the utmost professionalism and an ear for a good story: “My favorite thing that I’ve learned about the industry is just how diverse it is. There are so many people with fascinating backgrounds and reasons for joining the industry and I’ve been enjoying hearing their stories!”
Kelsha Wells has been the mastermind behind social media since fall of 2024 and recently coordinated the 40 Under 40 nomination process. The fruits of her labors are seen daily, connecting industry news and technical updates to you via social media. “From day one, I was struck by how incredible everyone is, not just in their talents, but in their willingness to support one another, celebrate wins, and work together seamlessly. That impression has only grown stronger over the past year.” This magazine edition is particularly special as she gets to see the many worthy young people featured on pages 36 to 71. She also supports various marketing campaigns for Heat Treat Today.
Michele Shaller found us through our legendary Laura Miller (now retired… we think). Michele assumed her position as editorial specialist in late-winter 2025. Every article you see in the print edition, every Heat Treat Radio transcript, and every, “hey, could you look at…?” piece of material gets an eagle-eye review by this whirlwind editor. Additionally, she is the editorial caretaker of several platforms, including the monthly e-newsletters.
Tiffany Ward connected with us in early spring 2025 and has been generating and formatting timely technical content for our website and Heat Treat Daily readers ever since. If you’ve ever had to scrap a heat treat plan and pivot fast under pressure, you have an idea of what Tiffany’s workday looks like every day. Can you say “pivot”?
Hamilton Pearman stumbled across the heat treat industry in 2014 and took a hiatus for a few years. Recently, he has returned, and in late-spring 2025, Hamilton assumed a sales role for Heat Treat Today’s European connections. Hamilton observed that the heat treat industry is like a large friendly family, “and that’s such a relief in the world we live today… Heat Treat Today is one the best examples of what I mean. Family, technical, focused, and yet still friendly.”
Mariah Roth, stepping into the critical role of administrative assistant as of this summer 2025, addresses the immediate challenges that our team faces. Fittingly, she commented the following: “Since joining the team, [I’ve been] realizing and affirming just how small the world is — this is something my grandpa had always said. The older I get, the more I understand this phrase. At the same time, I’m always learning how much I don’t know about the world. Coming from a metallurgy background to a heat treat industry, and now to a heat treat magazine company has really brought me full circle.”
Heat Treat Today publishes twelve print magazines annually and included in each is a letter from the publisher, Doug Glenn. This letter is from theAugust 2025 Automotive Heat Treat print edition.
The relationship between industry and higher-level educational institutions in North America is an interesting and evolving relationship. Unlike in Europe and Asia, the relationship is quite a bit less formal and far more scarce here. It is almost a foregone conclusion that leading industrial companies will have tight relationships with academic research institutions across Europe. The same is true in Asia, especially China, where many of the research institutes are government funded and are expected to assist with industry research projects. Of course, in both Europe and Asia, many companies are heavily subsidized by the government to conduct research. All in all, the relationships are more plentiful and tighter.
While there are thriving industry-academic relationships in North America, they are far less common, and they take a more practical, business-first approach. There are, however, a good number of strong relationships between educational institutions and the North American thermal processing industry. I’d like to mention three here in some depth and a few others briefly.
Illinois Institute of Technology Thermal Processing Technology Center (TPTC)
Without doing any thorough research, TPTC was perhaps one of the oldest industry-academic partnerships around. I was introduced to this partnership when Dr. Phil Nash, a professor at IIT, was the director of TPTC. That was back in the 1990s. I also know that our very own Dan Herring, the Heat Treat Doctor®, was supportive of the organization. TPTC reportedly shut down 10 years ago, but a webpage, which was not easy to find, indicates that it is now under the direction of Dr. Leon Shaw. After a quick review, there is a good bit about the academicians (professors and students) online, but I could not find any reference to industry partnerships or members. Nevertheless, TPTC was one of the go-to sources for industry for those who were interested in conducting ground-level research.
Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Center for Heat Treat Excellence (CHTE)
The WPI CHTE remains quite active. Their website does not indicate the exact date that it was established, but I’m guessing the late 1990s or early 2000s. I remember its inception and the efforts of Diran Apelian, their first executive director. I recall that membership dues were steep, but there was a good bit of industry buy-in, including Surface Combustion, Houghton International (now Quaker Houghton), and ASM International.
Current industry partners include Bodycote, Aalberts, Thermatool, Dante, Arcelor Mittal, Pilot Precision Products, GKN Sintered Metals, Pratt & Whitney, DevCom, and Sikorsky. There are also many active industry-focused research projects. CHTE is led by Dr. Thomas Christiansen with the able assistance of Maureen Plunkett. More information about CHTE can be found at https://wp.wpi.edu/chte/.
Purdue University Purdue Heat Treat Consortium (PHTC)
Purdue is a relative newcomer but quite active. Under the leadership of Dr. Mark Grunninger and Dr. Mike Titus with assistance by Maddison DeLaney Walsh, PHTC has gained an impressive number of thermal processing end-user and supplier members, including Amsted Rail, California Pellet Mill (CPM), Caterpillar, Cummins, ECM USA Inc., Howmet Aerospace, Inductoheat, Inc., John Deere, Nucor, and Rolls-Royce. I believe that Quaker Houghton has also recently joined. The number of projects being conducted by this industry-focused consortium is also impressive. More details on PHTC are at https://engineering.purdue.edu/MSE/PHTC.
Others
Of course, there are many other universities around the country that cooperate with the industry to help advance real-world research. Many Heat Treat Today40 Under 40 honorees are graduates of these educational institutions. Here is a short — and I’m sure incomplete — list of other universities that have a proven relationships with the thermal processing industry:
Carnegie Mellon University
Colorado School of Mines
Michigan Technological University
New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University
Pennsylvania State University
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
San Diego State University
South Dakota School of Mines
The Ohio State University
University of Akron
Conclusion
Although the relationship between industry and education is less formal here in North America compared to Europe and Asia, the relationship does exist and can be tapped for the benefit of any company interested in using the great minds of up-and-coming engineers to help solve tomorrow’s challenges. If you’d like to contact any of the organizations listed above, please email me.
Doug Glenn Publisher Heat TreatToday For more information: Contact Doug at doug@heattreattoday.com
Heat Treat Todaypublishes twelve print magazines a year and included in each is a letter from the editor. This letter is from the June 2025 Buyers Guideprint edition. In today’s letter,Karen Gantzer, editor-in-chief/associate publisher at Heat Treat Todayextols the virtue of continuous learning in the heat treatment industry.
May was a busy month. Much travel was part of the schedule — both business and pleasure. Our business trips, however, were filled with enjoyment in being with others and enrichment experienced through team building competitions and challenges to habits and disciplines. Upon reflection, it’s encouraging and empowering to be a lifelong learner.
As you know, heat treating involves heating and cooling metals under controlled conditions to enhance their strength, durability, and adaptability. Much like this process, learning as we age transforms our minds and perspectives, making us more resilient and capable of facing life’s challenges. Just as a metal alloy becomes tougher through repeated cycles of heating and cooling, our continued pursuit of knowledge — whether through new skills, experiences, or ideas — sharpens our minds and enriches our lives.
One of the opportunities to learn was through attending the Metal Treating Institute (MTI) Spring Meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. What a destination for a meeting — sunshine, ocean breezes, warm sand — someone had to go!
HTT Team at OX8 – Left to right: Aubrey Fort, Karen Gantzer, Doug Glenn, Ellen Porter, and Michelle Ritenour Source: OmedaBeach Olympics at MTI Spring Conference 2025 Source: MTI
It’s always a joy to catch up with friends from the industry and meet new folks as we listened to heat treaters share insights from their part of the thermal processing world. We were encouraged by coaches who shared tools to become better leaders and our competitive hunger was satisfied through Beach Olympics. All providing helpful takeaways to employ when we returned to the real world.
More Heat Treat Todaystaff attended the OX8 Conference in Chicago, hosted by Omeda, an audience engagement platform company that we work with. This event welcomed those in the publishing world. What a treat to meet others who work with words and whose goal is to increase audience engagement.
At Heat Treat Today, we believe people are happier and make better decisions when they are well informed. This conference focused on AI and how to responsibly use it along with other software tools to increase engagement for those with in-house heat treat operations. What a fun team building time! AI is a beast, but learning just a fraction of its capabilities with others was a blast.
Kenn Kington sharing how to become better leaders at MTI Spring Conference 2025 Source: MTIEllen Porter and Doug Glenn at OX8 Source: Omeda
How can you be a lifelong learner?
One learning opportunity is this month’s Heat Treat Today June issue — our annual Heat Treat Buyers Guide. Once a year we print the latest information about where you can find and learn more about heat treat equipment, products, services, and providers. It is a treasure trove of all things heat treat.
Additionally, you can continue to learn from the monthly installments of The Heat Treat Doctor (p.12), Controls Corner (p.117), and Combustion Corner (p.118), plus explore how to save money with ceramic fiber insulation by reading the conversation between Doug Glenn and Mark Rhoa of Chiz Bros (p.108).
Like heat treated materials that withstand stress, a mind that continues to learn grows more adaptable and robust, enabling us to contribute meaningfully to others. Learn all you can and enjoy the journey!
Karen Gantzer Editor in Chief/Associate Publisher Heat Treat Today
Heat TreatToday is excited to announce the addition of Heather Falcone to the editorial and podcast team, beginning on Monday, March 3, 2025. She will be taking on the responsibilities of content editor for the daily e-newsletter, original content writer, and Heat TreatRadio contributor.
Heather, the founder and principal of Falcone Consulting, LLC, is a servant leader with over 20 years of experience in heat treating, brazing, and chemical processing. She spent most of her formative years as a second-generation member of a family-owned heat treating and brazing business. As the former CEO of Thermal-Vac Technology, she successfully led the company through the pandemic, ensuring stability while propelling it into a new era that resulted in a successful exit in 2024. Passionate about challenging the status quo, she champions diverse teams and fair chance hiring, with a focus on developing successful teams that are future-proof and thriving.
Beyond her position as founder and principal at newly formed Falcone Consulting LLC, Heather is a board member, coach, speaker, and writer, advocating for small businesses, workforce development, and success for the heat treat community at large. She provides her expertise in aerospace specifications and the Nadcap process in an ongoing role as the special project consultant for Cook Induction Heating in Maywood, California. Additionally, she has played a pivotal role in industry organizations like the Metal Treating Institute, AMEC, and Nadcap, while also supporting local nonprofits such as Chrysalis and the Orange County Workforce Development Board.
“We’re thankful to have Heather joining the Heat TreatToday team,” said Doug Glenn, founder, owner, and publisher of Heat TreatToday. “I’ve known Heather for many years and have been impressed with her initiative, courage, and fearlessness in everything she does. As an organization that is deeply invested in making sure in-house heat treaters have the information they need to become more efficient and profitable, Heather will be an excellent addition to our editorial team. She knows the industry; she knows what our readers need. And as we all know, the happier the readers, the happier our advertisers.”
Heather is an Ironman triathlete, a Seven Summits enthusiast who has summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro and trekked in the Everest region, and a loving wife and mother to two teenage boys.
For more information, click here for Heather’s LinkedIn page, here for Falcone Consulting’s website, or here for her Heat TreatToday 40 Under 40 recognition in 2019.
Navigate the heat treat events upcoming in the months ahead with Heat Treat Today’s Industry Calendar. This hidden gem is located in the “Events” tab on www.heattreattoday.com, and it is always updating with the latest industry events. As you make your vacation plans, be sure you aren’t missing any key events; in mid-February, three industry events are happening on the same day! Check out a couple of upcoming event descriptions in today’s original content piece below!
If you have an event to add — or want to give us a heads up on an event that you and others are going to attend — feel free to reach out to the editors at editor@heattreattoday.com.
Jump over to the “Events” tab on www.heattreattoday.com, and you’ll find the Industry Calendar located third down. This calendar allows you to search by month or day in list or calendar view format so that you can visualize upcoming heat treat events with ease.
A Couple Tips To Navigate The Calendar:
Select view options from “list,” “month,” or “day” (see image 1).
In the “month” view, if you want to learn more about an item in the calendar, hover over the name of the event to see the image (see Image 2).
Search for events in the industry using the search bar at the top of the page.
Image 1Image 2
A Quick Look at Upcoming Winter Events
The end of January and February are busy months in the heat treat world. Stay informed and be sure not to miss any important dates!
“Looking to stay ahead of the curve? We attract the top minds in the industry to keep you current on everything HVACR. In addition to the latest products and technology, we’ll explore trending topics in all sectors of the industry including AI & controls, decarbonization, plumbing & hydronics, heat pumps, refrigerants, workforce development, business & professional growth, and much more.”
MDSM is the world’s leading conference & expo focused on the latest technical advancements in motor, drive systems, motion control, magnetic applications, technology, and rare earth materials.
“This is a once-a-year opportunity for professionals to hear world-class content in design, efficiency, and application advancements in automation, robotics, manufacturing, utilities, automotive, medical, consumer, aerospace & defense industries.”
“Held this year in Brisbane, Australia, SIM-PAC brings together in one location the four of the key components that will deliver a sustainable future for industrial manufacturing: technology, machinery, environmental design, and process engineering.
‘Not only will it be a window into the future, but it will also have a critical focus on what is ready for deployment today,’ says Geoff Matthews, SIM-PAC Event Director and Partner.”
“Each of IHEA’s Sustainability Webinars covers a different topic. This time, the topic will be carbon capture.
With the popularity and success of this summer’s Sustainability & Decarbonization Webinar Series, the Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) announces an expansion of the series with eleven new sustainability webinars in 2023 through 2024. ‘With interest very high regarding sustainability and reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases,’ notes IHEA Executive Vice President Anne Goyer, ‘the IHEA Board of Directors feels there is a strong need to continue providing valuable information that will assist our industry in navigating sustainability issues.’ The series will continue to be offered on the third Thursday of every month with an occasional exception for holidays.”
This is only the beginning of what the Industry Calendar can do for you! Explore more here.
Renowned for its dynamic trade show environment, FNA 2024 brings together the foremost experts, suppliers, decision makers, and buyers from around the globe. This year’s event is set to continue the tradition of offering an engaging technical conference alongside the bustling trade show floor.
The excitement takes off on the first day of the trade show with a unique gaming opportunity. During the Day 1 Trade Show Floor Reception, one lucky attendee will be selected to participate in a thrilling game at the heart of the expo, standing a chance to win $500, $1,000, or a staggering $100,000!
With exhibit booths in high demand and an anticipated sellout, prospective exhibitors are urged not to hesitate in securing their spots. Registration for attendees will open on May 1, 2024.
Mark your calendars and prepare to be a part of the industry’s most awaited event. Stay tuned for more details and visit www.FurnacesNorthAmerica.com for the latest updates.
Furnaces North America 2024 is excited to unveil its lineup of Title Sponsors for the upcoming trade show and technical conference, scheduled for October 14-16, 2024. Produced by the Metal Treating Institute in collaboration with Heat Treat Today, the event will be hosted in Columbus, OH — a hub of manufacturing innovation.
The Metal Treating Institute (MTI), recently held its 2023 Spring Meeting in Naples, FL. The three-day event included a mixture of business and fun with highlights including money raised for the scholarship fund, keynote speaker Joe Theismann, and educational/informative sessions for attendees.
MTI CEO Tom Morrison discussed the diversity of the events encapsulated in the three days of the meeting:
"What is great about MTI’s Spring Meeting is when you have the best minds in heat treating in one room, only great things can happen. Through key experts and round table discussions, MTI members worked through key issues like workforce development, lean manufacturing, predictive maintenance, and managing costs in inflationary times. MTI also raised $35,000 for the MTI Educational Foundation through raffling off a series of NFL jersey’s, footballs and helmets signed by MTI’s featured speaker, Super Bowl winning quarterback, Joe Theismann from the Washington Redskins."
MTI Board of Directors under the leadership of President Jim Orr (center) meets to help guide the organization to greater heights. Source: Heat Treat Today
L-R: Jim Orr, Penna Flame & MTI President; Robert & Judy Rudy, Queen City Steel Treating; Joe Theismann, Featured Speaker; Doug Glenn, Heat Treat Today & MTI Educational Foundation Treasurer Source: Heat Treat Today
L-R: Joe Theismann, Featured Speaker; Lesley Wright, Wirco, Inc. Source: Heat Treat Today
L-R: April Uhlenburg, former MTI First Lady & Tom Morrison, MTI CEO Source: Heat Treat Today
L-R: Doug Glenn, publisher of Heat Treat Today & MTI Educational Foundation Treasure awards a custom Washington Redskins helmet to the highest bidders – Leslie & Chad Wright of Wirco, Inc. Also pictured is DL Wright, Wirco, and George Motes, who custom designed the helmet. Source: Heat Treat Today
L-R: Stacey Liebke, ECM USA & Karen Gantzer, Associate Publisher of Heat Treat Today. Source: Heat Treat Today
Joe Theismann autographs the back of Jim Orr, Penna Flame & current MTI President during an MTI Educational Foundation fundraising event with raised in excess of $35,000. Source: Heat Treat Today
MTI Spring Meeting evening dinner at the Naples Grand Hotel, Naples, FL Source: Heat Treat Today
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This message from Bethany Leone, managing editor of Heat Treat Today shares some reflections on self-healing across time. Looking at ancient structures and then progressing to modern-day applications, there is some room for wonder within the realm of science.Use the Reader Feedback button below to comment.
This article first appeared inHeat Treat Today'sMarch Aerospace Heat Treatingprint edition. Feel free to contact Bethany Leone at bethany@heattreattoday.com if you have a question, comment, or any editorial contribution you’d like to submit.
Let’s talk Ancient Roman engineering. Aqueducts (elevated bridges made of concrete) stretched for miles to convey water from hilltops down to citizens and industries in city centers. Scientific studies covered by the University of Utah Blog, Engineering and Technology, and National Geographic have shown many cases where these concrete structures and other 2,000-year-old concrete Roman piers submerged in water have not just survived but thrived; it’s an ancient technology that’s stronger than modern methods.
Chemical reaction with the salty seawater is believed to be one reason for the lasting success of maritime concrete: seawater filters through the concrete, interlocking minerals grow within the structures, and the concrete ages with strength because of this added cohesion between the minerals and concrete. Additionally, assumptions for the ancient concrete’s strength pointed to pozzolanic materials as the strengthening composition.
But recently, researchers have identified “self-healing properties” of Roman concrete across applications — maritime piers, aqueducts, and roads, to name a few. The key component? Bright, white mineral fragments called “lime clasts” made of various calcium carbonate forms that were created under high heat. When cracks fractured into the concrete and broke across the lime clasts, water could enter and react with the material, creating a calcium-saturated solution. This solution can: recrystallize as calcium carbonate, thus filling the crack that allowed the water to enter in the first place, or react with pozzolanic materials, thus further strengthening the concrete.
"Aqueducts stretched for miles . . ." Source: Adobe Stock/Kushnirov Avraham
Reading this research on ancient building methods, I remembered the “self-healing” that has recently been introduced to metallurgy by Rice University. Researchers developed a sulfur-selenium alloy that is corrosion-resistant and, when used as a coating for steel, could repair perforations when heat was applied (sometimes it even self-repaired without heat application). In moments like these, I look at my pinewood table and my ceramic mug and want to yell, “It’s alive!!”
Seeing these miraculous properties of material scientists and researchers does not lessen the amazing abilities that heat, water, and minerals continue to have after thousands of years. This excitement also does not stand alone but builds on the extensive knowledge of physics and chemistry as well as logic (no good engineer can do without that!) and creativity. Self-healing, while a trendy word, is not a tool that the engineer can use all on its own.
This liveliness in the world is ancient and present, integrated with other experiences, and also personal; as humans, we know the extent of “self-healing” and the interventions that are required to fully heal. There are points in life — perhaps childhood, apprenticeships, sports, or simply facing the daily grind — when it becomes necessary for someone to heal us, help us, and sometimes temper us. And, as an engineer or engineering-minded reader, you know that this is natural and good.
As we pull out another bar of chocolate to watch another video about how practical visionaries are developing technologies like self-healing materials for real-world solutions, we may see the heat treat industry under pressure to adapt old methods of processing parts to gain better results with new alloys. Especially in the open-mouth-gaping-at-new-technologies times we find ourselves in human history, we can still remember that however mind-blowing the discoveries — even in the face of something so crazy-sounding as “self-healing” — we can be like the Ancient Romans and (thoughtfully) embrace the miraculous material reality, too.
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