Seco/Vacuum awarded nine-furnace contract

June 11, 2024
Source: ASM International

Seco/Vacuum awarded nine-furnace contract

Seco/Vacuum, Meadville, Pa., announced it has secured a record-breaking contract for nine furnaces in June. The order includes three Vector vacuum Furnaces and six tempering furnaces, along with necessary auxiliary systems, marking a significant expansion for a returning heat-treat partner that already operates twelve Seco/Vacuum furnaces across North America.

The new furnaces are part of the heat-treater’s strategic shift from atmospheric heat treatment to vacuum processes. This transition aims to modernize their facilities, offering cleaner, safer, and more cost-effective operations. Vacuum processes also allow for finer control and reduce the carbon footprint, aligning with contemporary environmental standards.

The Vector® furnaces, known for their versatility in heat-treating processes like hardening, tempering, and brazing, will primarily be used for hardening due to their high-pressure gas quench capabilities. These furnaces ensure high uniformity and consistency in heat-treated parts, with enhanced batch processing speed and reduced energy and gas usage.

The accompanying Tempering Furnaces, designed for efficient atmospheric tempering, feature convection heating for faster process temperatures and smoother workflow integration, crucial during the often-congested tempering stage.

To support the intensive hardening cycles of the Vectors, six tempering furnaces were chosen to maximize throughput and efficiency. Each furnace, both vectors and temperers, are front-loading with a capacity of 3,300 lbs and dimensions of 36 x 36 x 48 inches.

The full modernization will require a temporary shutdown of existing operations. Seco/Vacuum will mitigate downtime by also acting as the general contractor, overseeing the installation of furnaces, systems, and necessary infrastructure, ensuring a swift resumption of operations with new capabilities.

Read further here.

Researchers overcome manufacturing challenges in aluminum alloys with nano-treatment

May 6, 2024
Source: ASM International

Researchers overcome manufacturing challenges in aluminum alloys with nano-treatment

Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, have achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of metal additive manufacturing (AM), specifically with Al–Cu alloys like AA2024, which are prevalent in the aerospace and automotive industries. 

These alloys are known for their high strength and good fatigue resistance but have been notoriously difficult to work with in additive manufacturing due to issues like hot cracking and other solidification defects.

The UCLA team has successfully developed a nano-treated AA2024 deposition that incorporates TiC nanoparticles, leading to a groundbreaking enhancement in the manufacturing process. This new method allows for the additive manufacturing of AA2024 without the occurrence of cracks, a common issue that has hindered broader adoption of these materials in high-precision sectors.

Microstructural analysis conducted by the researchers reveals that the TiC nanoparticles not only reduce the susceptibility to hot cracking but also refine and homogenize the grain structure of the alloy. The grains were significantly refined to an average size of 23.2 ± 0.4 μm. This refinement contributes to the material’s enhanced properties, including its mechanical performance.

These findings highlight the potential of nano-treatment techniques in overcoming the longstanding challenges associated with high-strength aluminum in additive manufacturing. This advancement not only paves the way for more reliable production of critical components in aerospace and automotive applications but also promises to expand the capabilities and applications of metal additive manufacturing technology.

Read further here. 

One Minute Mentor: vacuum furnace setup

April 15, 2024
Source: ASM International

One Minute Mentor: vacuum furnace setup

A simple but most effective and very flexible vacuum furnace setup, the single-chamber furnace, consists of one chamber in which the workpiece is both heated (convectively, through vacuum heating) and cooled. Cooling or quenching is accomplished by a closed-loop cooling system.

The pressure vessel is filled with inert gas. This gas is circulated inside the chamber, blowing the inert gas across the workpieces to pick up heat and for further recooling across an internal or external heat exchanger. In order to quench rapidly enough to obtain the desired microstructure of tool steels in various sizes and shapes, it is necessary to increase the pressure and/or flow patterns of the quench gas (usually nitrogen). This is accomplished by high-velocity, high-pressure blowers that have reported cooling gas pressures of up to 20 bar. Turbine powers up to 450 kW are necessary to handle these quenching processes.

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.a0005958

Can-Eng commissions mesh belt furnace overseas


Source: ASM International

Can-Eng commissions mesh belt furnace overseas

Can-Eng Furnaces, Niagara, Ontario,  has commissioned a continuous mesh belt heat-treat system for the production of high-quality automotive fasteners in Italy.

This project in the Piedmont region of Italy was one of four installation locations for this globally recognized producer of specialty automotive fasteners that span from Europe, South America, Mexico, and the United States of America.

Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd was chosen to supply its state-of-the-art systems based on proven reliability, efficiency, and soft-part-handling features — hallmarks of Can-Eng’s mesh belt furnace systems. The new, high-volume fastener system features energy efficient combustion and waste heat recovery systems, atmosphere-controlled mesh belt hardening system, oil quench, post wash system, temper furnace, soluble oil system, bi-directional conveyor discharge, and Can-Eng’s Level 2 SCADA system. Can-Eng’s PET™ system provides the user with access to vital Industry 4.0 data which includes product traceability, detailed process data for continuous process improvements, comprehensive equipment diagnostics, cost analysis, and inventory management.

https://thermalprocessing.com/news/can-eng-commissions-mesh-belt-furnace-overseas/

Kuźnia Jawor installs Nitrex forging systems


Source: ASM International

Kuźnia Jawor installs Nitrex forging systems

Nitrex, Quebec, has announced that Kuźnia Jawor S.A, a European company specializing in the production of hot forged and CNC machined components for the automotive, machinery, mining, and piping industries, has installed a Nitrex nitriding system and a vacuum hardening furnace.

 Located in the southwestern region of Poland, Kuźnia Jawor has solidified its position as a leading provider of forged and CNC automotive parts within Poland, as well as mining parts in international markets such as Czechia and Türkiye.

Kuźnia Jawor leverages its in-house capabilities to design and manufacture forging tools, a crucial element of the production process. This is necessary for obtaining repeatable strength parameters in steel and ensuring their resistance to geometric changes or abrasive wear, factors that are addressed through heat treatment. Building on this foundation, the company recently revamped its heat-treating operations by introducing cutting-edge equipment and technologies, aiming to streamline operations for improved efficiency and to elevate the quality of its forged and machined products. The current production line has been designed using a Nitrex nitriding system and a vacuum hardening furnace.

Read further here.

Solar Atmospheres awarded Lockheed Martin space systems approval


Source: ASM International

Solar Atmospheres awarded Lockheed Martin space systems approval

Solar Atmospheres, Greenville, SC, has announced that it has been awarded Lockheed Martin Space Systems approval. With this approval, now all five Solar Atmospheres facilities are an option for our customers with Lockheed Martin requirements for thermal processing services.

Steve Prout, President of Solar Atmospheres’ Greenville facility states: “We are proud to once again provide our customers in the Southeastern U.S. with another regional option for aerospace and defense thermal processes, saving them time and money while continuing to deliver the high level of quality required.”

With the ability to support vacuum thermal processing needs ranging from development cycles to 50,000 pound loads at temperatures of up to 2400°F, Solar Atmospheres provides AS9100 and Nadcap quality accredited heat treatments, providing our customers with the confidence their product is being processed as specified.

Read further here.

One Minute Mentor: Vacuum Furnaces

March 26, 2024
Source: ASM International

One Minute Mentor: Vacuum Furnaces

Driven by the development of new tool steels—which were property-wise tailor made for applications such as aluminum die casting, drilling, and tools and dies for the plastic industry—but also due to rising dimensions of the tools, the demands on vacuum-hardening technology have changed in recent decades. One of the most important considerations that must be met is the accomplishment of highest dimensional stability with optimal microstructural properties and minimal change of the surface of the workpieces. Minimizing exposure to air during the heat treatment by reducing the quantity of oxygen in a heat treatment furnace, as with creating a vacuum, is an excellent method for preventing changes in surface appearance and chemical composition.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 14. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005958

Sudosilo S.A. commissions new Nitrex installation


Source: ASM International

Sudosilo S.A. commissions new Nitrex installation

Nitrex, Quebec, is helping Sudosilo S.A., a leading commercial heat treatment service provider in South America, bring premier nitriding to the Argentine industrial sector with the recent commissioning of a turnkey installation. This newly operational nitriding system, represents a significant milestone as the first of its kind in Argentina, offering third-party heat treatment services to the region.

At the forefront of technological advancement, Sudosilo has embraced cutting-edge technologies to cater to various sectors, including aluminum injection, aluminum extrusion, forging, and oil applications. The integration of a NITREX system into its operations is set to establish a new benchmark for quality and precision in nitriding treatments.

The new Nitrex system adheres to CQI-9 guidelines for automotive heat treatment processes and NADCAP requirements for aerospace applications. This aligns Sudosilo with international standards, positioning the company to meet the exacting demands of both Argentine and South American markets for quality, innovation, and unparalleled service. 

The successful commissioning of the turnkey system, featuring a pit-type furnace model NX-1015 with Nitreg® controlled nitriding, Nitreg®-C controlled nitrocarburizing, and ONC® post-oxidation process technologies, was completed in November 2023. These advanced technologies ensure a uniform case depth and precise management of nitriding/nitrocarburizing/oxidation layer formation, optimizing the mechanical properties of tooling and dies. Nitreg® and Nitreg®-C contribute to enhancing surface hardness and fatigue resistance, while ONC® improves corrosion resistance. Notably, the system eliminates the need for post-finishing operations and boasts a substantial load capacity of 4400 lbs. (2000 kg). Marathon Systems Control, serving as a Nitrex representative for Latin America, played a pivotal role in expertly executing the system installation and finalizing the process validation.

https://www.nitrex.com/

L&L special furnace company ships large box furnace for investment castings company

March 4, 2024
Source: ASM International

L&L special furnace company ships large box furnace for investment castings company

L&L Special Furnace Company, Aston, PA, delivered a large floor-standing box furnace to the heat-treating department of an investment castings supplier. The furnace will be used as support in the customer’s tool and die production along with tempering of finished castings.

 

The L&L model XLE3436 box furnace has an effective work zone of 34” wide by 22” high by 32” deep. It is equipped with a direct-lift vertical door with a floor switch to activate. The cantilevered vertical door eliminates the need for the upright structure to reduce the overall height of the equipment.

 

The furnace includes a program control and overtemperature protection. A four-zone SSR control with digital biasing is provided to balance temperature gradients. The XLE3436 also features a paperless chart recorder with six thermocouple inputs, a heavy-duty Inconel sheathed thermocouple, a recirculation fan, and an atmosphere-sealed case for deployment with inert atmospheres.

 

The inert blanketing gas enables the part to be heat-treated with minimal surface de-carb. A stack light indicates the furnace status via an audible and visual indicator light mounted on top of the control.

 

Additionally, the furnace is equipped with a pyrometry package that has reference control thermocouple ports along with corner locations to record the high and low points within the unit as indicated by the latest temperature uniformity survey.

 

All L&L models can be designed with various options and be specifically tailored to meet your thermal needs. The company also offers furnaces outfitted with pyrometry packages to meet ASM2750. Options include a variety of control and recorder configurations. A three-day, all-inclusive startup service is provided with each system within the continental US and Canada. International startup and training service is available by factory quote.If precise temperature control and uniformity is key to your process, then L&L is a great choice.

 www.llfurnace.com

One Minute Mentor: High-Performance Line

February 6, 2024
Source: ASM International

One Minute Mentor: High-Performance Line

The continuous heat treatment of tool steel is applied to low- or medium-alloyed carbon steel strips as well as martensitic stainless steels. The described lines produce high-quality strip with respect to uniform structure, flatness, and bright surface finish. High quenching rates are necessary, especially for plain carbon steels. Cooling gradients of up to 600 K/s are possible in a molten lead-bismuth quench. Because two-stage quenching technology provides considerable advantages over quenching in oil, this method has been adopted worldwide. It is also possible to achieve isothermal transformation to bainite and pearlite using a molten metal quench, so this type of hardening and tempering line is extremely versatile.

The configuration of a high-performance line involves an entry and exit section of the strip handling equipment. The hardening section consists of the austenitizing furnace, the molten metal quench or hydrogen quench, and a martensite cooler.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 10. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014 

Read further here.