Constellium signs multi-year aluminum extrusions agreement with Airbus

Constellium, Issoire, France, announced a multi-year agreement with Airbus for the supply of aluminum alloy extrusions, reinforcing the company’s role as a long-term supplier of advanced aluminum solutions to the European airframer’s commercial and defense programs. Under the agreement, Constellium will provide Airbus with bars and a range of small and large extrusions manufactured in advanced aluminum alloys, including the company’s proprietary aluminum-lithium solution Airware®, all engineered to meet stringent quality requirements and optimized for the strength-to-weight performance demanded by aircraft structural applications. The extrusions will be produced at Constellium’s Issoire and Montreuil-Juigné facilities in France. “This agreement reflects Airbus’ trust in our advanced aluminum products and solutions, and in our quality performance, industrial reliability, and consistent supply continuity to support long-term aerospace programs,” said Philippe Hoffmann, president of Constellium’s Aerospace and Transportation business unit. “We are committed to continuing to grow our outstanding relationship with Airbus, leveraging our comprehensive product portfolio, proprietary solutions, unique manufacturing capabilities, and recycling expertise.” Constellium is a leading supplier of advanced aluminum products and solutions to the global aircraft, defense, and space markets, with proven industrial and recycling capabilities and an extensive portfolio of high-performance alloys, including the heat-treatable Airware® family used in next-generation airframe structures.

Read further here

Harper International promotes new CEO and COO

Harper International, Buffalo, New York, announced the promotion of Janelle Camesano to Chief Executive Officer and John Schenk to Chief Operating Officer. Camesano, who holds an MBA and PHR certification, has been with Harper for 13 years, rising through human resources and administration roles before assuming the top leadership position. Schenk has been part of the Harper team for over 14 years, most recently serving as Vice President of Operations. The leadership transition reflects an internal succession at the global thermal processing equipment manufacturer, which provides customized furnace, kiln, and oven systems for production of advanced materials including carbon fiber, battery materials, and technical ceramics.

Read further here

New editors for Metallurgical and Materials Transactions

ASM International, Materials Park, Ohio, and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (TMS), Warrendale, Pa., announced two new editors for the Metallurgical and Materials Transactions journals: Steven J. Zinkle, FASM, of Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Sridhar Seetharaman of the University of Warwick.   Zinkle Named Editor for Metallurgical and Materials Transactions E   Steven J.

Continue reading

Wisconsin Oven ships electrically heated horizontal quench system

Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, announced the shipment of an Electrically Heated Horizontal Quench System to a manufacturer of products for the automotive industry. This system will be used for the solution treatment of aluminum.

The maximum temperature for this horizontal quench furnace is 1200°F and interior chamber dimensions of 2′ wide x 2′ high x 2′ long. The system has the capacity to heat 450 pounds of aluminum parts and the steel basket within 60 minutes. Temperature uniformity of +/- 10°F at set points 850°F and 1050° F was verified with a nine point profile test prior to shipment.

This horizontal quench system provides a 15 second quench delay from when the door begins to open until the load is fully submerged in the tank. The quench is manual, where the operator pulls the load out of the oven and onto the quench elevator using a hook. The quench delay time is recorded and enforced using sensors to detect the start and end of the quench operation, and to stop the process if the quench delay time expires.

Read further here.

Evolution on the microstructure and mechanical properties of a new multicomponent near-Alpha Titanium Alloy after rolling and heat treatments

Beijing University of Technology, China, presented the microstructure and mechanical properties of a new type of multi-component near-α titanium alloy sheet after rolling, 700°C aging, and 800°C aging in a new paper.

 The results show that the strength of the alloy after aging at 700°C increases from 1156 MPa to 1304 MPa, respectively, but decreases to 1246 MPa with the aging temperature increasing. The ductility of the alloy aged at 700°C is lower than that of the rolled state, but the ductility increases slightly with the aging temperature increasing. The effect of aging heat treatment on the microstructure and precipitation behavior of alloy plates has been studied and compared with alloys before aging. 

After heat treatment, the content of primary α decreases from 25% to 5%, respectively. Two kinds of silicide precipitate at different positions, with the large-size spherical silicide being (Ti, Zr, Nb)5Si3, and the small-size fusiform silicide being (Ti, Zr, Nb)6Si3, respectively. Ti3Al was precipitated in the primary α phase, during the aging process. The silicides exhibit the strengthening effect on the alloy, but the effect weakens when the silicides grow up. The loss in ductility is mainly attributed to the precipitation of the α2 phase after aging treatment. However, ductility is improved after applying higher aging temperatures as the size of the α2 phase becomes smaller, and the distribution of them tends to become dispersed.

Read further here

 

Ipsen repurposes ceramics facility for expanded hot zone production capacity

Ipsen, Pecatonica, Ill., formerly known as Ipsen Ceramics, is expanding its vacuum furnace hot zone assembly. The refurbishments include new lighting, HVAC, roofing, and other interior and exterior upgrades. Located at 325 John Street, less than 30 miles from Ipsen’s Vacuum Technology Excellence Center in Cherry Valley, the factory will initially employ up to eight material assemblers.

Incorporating the Pecatonica location into Ipsen’s vacuum furnace production and aftermarket process will provide added benefits to customers. Jake Hamid, Ipsen’s director and chief Operating Officer, stated that “Our goal is to reduce delivery times and better control the critical phase of assembly.” In the future, Ipsen is considering other manufacturing activities in Pecatonica to supplement the needs of the Vacuum Technology Excellence Center.

The move to repurpose the Pecatonica plant aligns with Ipsen’s commitment to providing high-quality vacuum furnace equipment and services to customers. The company’s dedication to meeting customer needs and reducing delivery times will be further enhanced by this strategic move, ensuring that Ipsen remains a leader in the vacuum furnace industry.

Read further here.

ECM Technologies launches new ECO furnace

ECM Technologies, Grenoble, France announced the release of a new furnace system that will replace current sealed quench (SQ) or integral quench (IQ) style furnaces. The system offers a cleaner, safer and greater performance in comparison to traditional SQ or IQ furnace on the market today.

Continue reading