One Minute Mentor: Type W1 Tool Steels

W1 steels are capable of hardening to high surface hardness and soft core, which is useful in some shock applications. They are low-cost tool steels with fair to good wear resistance as carbon content increases. As they are water quenched and have poor dimensional stability, their use is limited to fairly uniform sections with a minimum amount of stress risers; in other applications quench cracking can occur. Figure 1 shows an isothermal transformation diagram for a W1 steel.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 1.Rafael Agnelli Mesquita; Reinhold Schneider; Cristiane Sales Gonçalves, *Heat Treating of Cold-Work Tool Steels — Low- and Un-Alloyed Water and Oil Hardening Steels*, ASM International, 2014 [https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005972](https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005972)

Boeing commits $7 million CAD to Vac Aero for vacuum furnace purchase

Boeing announced a $7 million CAD commitment to Vac Aero International Inc., a Canadian aerospace and defence supplier with operations in Ontario and Quebec, as part of the CP8A Poseidon Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) program. Boeing will purchase two vacuum furnaces for its Tube, Duct and Reservoir Center in Algona, Washington, where they will heat treat tube and duct assemblies critical to various Boeing airplane programs and select space and defense work. “This ITB investment underscores Boeing’s commitment to Canada following the CP8A Poseidon selection and to modern manufacturing and Canadian small businesses,” said Al Meinzinger, Boeing Canada President. Vac Aero CEO Michael Miasek noted the purchase commitment will allow the company to further expand its Canadian manufacturing capacity.

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Solar Atmospheres expands vacuum heat-treating capacity in Eastern Pennsylvania

Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, PA, announced the commissioning of two additional 2-bar vacuum furnaces at its Eastern Pennsylvania facility. The expansion is aimed at supporting increased demand from the aerospace and industrial gas turbine industries, as well as specialized hydride/dehydride processing of reactive metals such as titanium, tantalum, and niobium.

The newly installed furnaces, manufactured by Solar Manufacturing, feature large working hot zones measuring 45 inches wide by 45 inches high by 72 inches deep. They are rated for temperatures up to 2400°F and maintain a temperature uniformity of ±10°F, meeting the stringent requirements of high-performance heat treatment applications.

Mike Moyer, vice president of sales at Solar Atmospheres, noted that the new equipment, outfitted with the latest control systems from Solar Manufacturing, enhances operational efficiency and safety. He added that this expansion supports the company’s commitment to providing reliable service, competitive pricing, and fast turnaround times to its customers.

The additional capacity reflects Solar Atmospheres’ ongoing investment in advanced thermal processing technology to meet the evolving needs of its industrial and aerospace clients.

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One Minute Mentor: Phase Transformations using finite-element-method (FEM) model.

Heat treatment of tool steels means several phase transformations. Every phase transformation must be described by start amount, end amount, and kinetics (change of phases depending on temperature and time). Start and end amount can be calculated with different thermodynamic software. For example, Thermocalc is well validated for tool steels. All of the aforementioned data are used as input data for a finite-element-method (FEM) model. In any case the first step of simulation models is validation, which means the comparison of experiments and mathematical simulation. The better the input data and the better the model formulation, the better are the results and the fewer loops have to be made for an appropriate model (reference model). This reference model is then used for process optimization. All these steps of model development are illustrated in the figure. 

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 15. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

 

Harper international commissions two carbon fiber production lines in China

Harper International, Buffalo, NY, announced the successful installation and commissioning of two carbon fiber production lines for Shandong Yongcheng New Materials Co. Ltd. (SYNM) in the Shandong province of China. The newly commissioned systems incorporate Harper’s advanced thermal processing technology, including oxidation ovens, low-temperature (LT) and high-temperature (HT) carbonization furnaces, and integrated energy recovery and waste gas abatement systems.

The two 3-meter-wide production lines at SYNM’s facility will allow for an annual production capacity of 3,000 metric tons of carbon fiber. The site has been designed with future expansion in mind, with the potential to scale up to 12,000 metric tons per year. Harper’s expertise ensured efficient system performance and uniform carbon fiber product quality.

Paul Elwell, vice president of Harper International, emphasized the strong collaboration between Harper and SYNM, which contributed to a smooth installation and commissioning process. He also noted that Harper looks forward to supporting SYNM’s continued growth and expansion in carbon fiber manufacturing.

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Ipsen supports Siemens AG with modernization of high-vacuum furnaces for energy infrastructure expansion

Ipsen, Cherry Valley, Ill., announced that it has successfully modernized its VHFC high-vacuum furnaces for Siemens AG, marking a significant milestone in their shared mission to enhance sustainability and efficiency in energy infrastructure. The project supports Siemens’ strategic efforts to expand medium and high-voltage grids globally, a key component of the energy transition and the broader push for electrification.

As part of this initiative, Ipsen is delivering three new VHFC-1000x1200x1000 (HV) high-vacuum brazing systems to Siemens’ production facilities in Goa, India, and Wuxi, China. The Goa facility will receive two systems, while the Wuxi facility will add one. All systems are manufactured in Germany and are critical to the production of vacuum interrupters, which are core components of switchgears used in power distribution networks.

These vacuum brazing systems play a pivotal role in enabling the switch from gas-insulated disconnectors to vacuum interrupters, effectively eliminating the use of fluorinated gases. This shift significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with global environmental protection goals.

Ipsen’s collaboration with Siemens reflects their joint commitment to supporting the expansion of renewable energy and sustainable energy infrastructure worldwide. The increased production capacity provided by these systems underscores the importance of advanced technology in achieving energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

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HAI Romania enhances sustainable extrusion production with Nitrex system

Nitrex, Quebec, announced that it has implemented a new nitriding system at Hammerer Aluminium Industries (HAI) Romania, marking a significant step in advancing the sustainability of aluminum extrusion production. This installation aligns with HAI’s corporate commitment to environmental leadership and operational modernization.

HAI Romania, a subsidiary of Austria-based Hammerer Aluminium Industries, operates a state-of-the-art extrusion plant in Chișineu-Criș, near the Hungarian border. The facility features five extrusion presses, including a recently added 10-inch press, and serves key industries such as automotive, construction, and packaging, with strategic access to both Western and Eastern European markets.

The newly installed Nitrex NX-815 nitriding system replaces the traditional salt bath nitriding process. Unlike its predecessor, which generates environmentally challenging waste, the gas nitriding process offers a sustainable alternative. The system utilizes Nitreg® controlled nitriding and Nitreg®-C ferritic nitrocarburizing technologies, ensuring superior and consistent performance while minimizing environmental impact. With a 3,300-pound load capacity, the furnace is specifically designed for treating extrusion dies.

By adopting Nitreg® technologies, HAI Romania eliminates hazardous waste, reduces energy consumption, and enhances the durability of aluminum extrusion dies. This shift not only supports eco-friendly practices but also optimizes production efficiency by eliminating costly post-finishing operations, contributing to the company’s sustainability and operational goals.

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One Minute Mentor: Distortion of Corrosion-Resistant Plastic Mold Steels

Corrosion-resistant plastic mold steels are usually tempered at lower tempering temperatures than hot-work, high-alloyed cold-work, or high-speed steels. A comparison of different types of corrosion-resistant plastic mold steels with the widely used cold-work tool steel D2 with the same dimensions as in the previous example for cold-work tool steels for such heat treatment conditions can be seen in the figure and shows that all steels show a similar low dimension change in width. Regarding the thickness of the plates there is a significantly higher increase for the ledeburitic cold-work tool steel. Vacuum heat treatment with high-pressure gas quenching leads to a similar amount of distortion as salt bath heat treatments but again shows significant scatter.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 13. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Aalberts Surface Technologies publishes new white paper on bainitic bearings

Aalberts Surface Technologies, Livonia, Mich., announced the release of a new white paper focused on bainitic bearings, authored by Jeremy Lipshaw, Kathy Hayrynen, and Steve Metz. This white paper complements the company’s recent ASTM publication, “A Review of Austempering for Bainitic Bearings,” providing an in-depth look at innovative techniques and advancements in the field of bainitic bearings.

In this latest work, Aalberts experts explore the applications, benefits, and advancements in materials science related to bainitic bearings, highlighting the company’s ongoing commitment to excellence in surface technologies and precision engineering. The white paper expands on research presented in the conference paper, “A Review of Austempering for Bearing Applications,” which appears in the ASTM International book Bearing and Transmission Steels Technology.

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Centorr Vacuum names Sean P. Murphy as product manager for laboratory and r&d furnaces

Centorr Vacuum, Nashua, NH, announced that Sean P. Murphy has been appointed as the product manager for its laboratory and R&D furnace product lines. Murphy will oversee more than 30 vacuum furnace lines that cater to laboratory applications across the metals, ceramics, and carbon/graphite/composites industries. His client base includes national laboratories, universities, and industrial customers worldwide who require compact laboratory and R&D equipment.

Murphy brings a wealth of experience to Centorr, having previously served as senior manufacturing manager at Osram Sylvania’s Exeter, NH location, where he focused on micro-LED ceramic automotive products. His expertise spans hydrogen sintering, spark plasma sintering, and annealing, among other manufacturing processes. Murphy holds a bachelor’s degree in materials science from Alfred University and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and is actively involved in the American Ceramic Society, ASM Heat Treat Society, and Society of Automotive Engineers.

Centorr Vacuum Industries, established in 1954 and currently celebrating its 70th anniversary, is known for its high-temperature vacuum and controlled atmosphere furnaces, with over 7,000 units installed globally. The company’s Nashua headquarters includes a dedicated aftermarket field service team and an Applied Technology Center that provides R&D support and toll production services.

For more information please visit www.centorr.com