One Minute Mentor: Advantages and Limitations of Heat Treatment Simulation

April 3, 2025
Source: ASM International

One Minute Mentor: Advantages and Limitations of Heat Treatment Simulation

Heat treatment simulation can be a tool for optimization of heat-treatment processes, but at the present this method is still limited. Therefore most HTS is based on rough simplifications of the process. Simplifications can involve the process, number of phases, transformation kinetics, continuums models instead of micro-mechanical models, etc. These simplifications also result in inaccuracies in the calculations.

For more information, click on the link below (subscription required). Then scroll to Figure 16. R Schneider; R. Mesquita; W Schützenhöfer, Distortion in Tool Steels, ASM International, 2014  https://doi.org/10.31399/asm.hb.v04d.a0005980

Wisconsin Oven ships composite curing oven to Defense Industry

October 14, 2024
Source: ASM International

Wisconsin Oven ships composite curing oven to Defense Industry

Wisconsin Oven, East Troy, WI, has announced the shipment of a gas-fired walk-in batch oven to a prominent manufacturer in the defense industry. The oven is designed for curing filament wound composite materials and is capable of processing a 78,000-pound load on a 40-foot long mandrel carried by a load car.

The work chamber measures 10 feet wide, 42 feet long, and 9 feet high, with a qualified work zone of 8 feet by 40 feet by 8 feet. The oven includes a rotation system to prevent drooping of uncured composites during the heating process, offering speed control flexibility through a variable frequency drive.

This oven operates at a maximum temperature of 500°F, with temperature uniformity of ±10°F at multiple setpoints. Equipped with a PLC-based Wisconsin Oven Premium Control System and an IoT system, it allows for real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and remote fault diagnosis.

Additional features include split-line construction for easier shipping, two powerful recirculation blowers, interior lighting, and safety-compliant railings and ladder access.

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Metex Heat treating announces acquisition of Exactatherm Ltd

September 16, 2024
Source: ASM International

Metex Heat treating announces acquisition of Exactatherm Ltd

Metex Heat Treating, Mississauga, ON, has announced the acquisition of Exactatherm Ltd, a specialist in heat treating for the aerospace, stainless, and tool steels industries. This acquisition is a key part of Metex’s strategy to expand its capabilities and provide comprehensive solutions to clients across the automotive, aerospace, nuclear, commercial, and tool and die sectors.

With this acquisition, Metex will leverage Exactatherm’s industry expertise alongside its own advanced technologies, further strengthening its market position. Exactatherm will continue to operate as a separate entity under the Metex group, maintaining its established reputation for delivering high-quality services.

“This acquisition reinforces our commitment to providing unmatched solutions to our customers,” said Surjit Bawa, President of Metex Heat Treating Ltd. “Together, we will build on our shared strengths and create new opportunities for growth.”

Metex Heat Treating was founded in 1983 and has grown to be the largest heat treater in Canada, specializing in various heat treatment process

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Constellium announces significant weight savings in EV Battery enclosures through ALIVE project


Source: ASM International

Constellium announces significant weight savings in EV Battery enclosures through ALIVE project

Constellium, based in Paris, announced that its collaborative research project, Aluminium Intensive Vehicle Enclosures (ALIVE), has achieved weight savings of 12 to 35 percent for electric vehicle (EV) battery enclosures. The project, led by Constellium’s University Technology Center at Brunel University London, focused on optimizing the design and manufacturing processes for structural aluminum enclosures in EVs.

Launched in 2020, the £15 million initiative was partially funded by the UK government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC). The project involved six industrial partners, including BMW, Volvo, and Innoval Technology, along with university technology partners from Brunel University London and the University of Warwick.

The ALIVE team developed new aluminum designs using Constellium’s high-strength alloys, HSA6® and HCA6®, while implementing advanced joining and forming technologies. Full-scale prototypes were produced and successfully passed rigorous testing for performance, safety, and fire resistance. The project also generated cost models to support future industrialization of the designs.

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Nitrex announces new system installation at Volkan Steels

September 2, 2024
Source: ASM International

Nitrex announces new system installation at Volkan Steels

Nitrex, based in Quebec, announced the installation of a new nitriding/nitrocarburizing system at Volkan Steels (V’Steels), a prominent tool steels supplier in Istanbul, Turkey. The new system, model NX-1015, has a 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) capacity, enhancing V’Steels’ ability to provide value-added heat treatment services to its customers.

This advanced Nitrex system supports nitriding, nitrocarburizing, and post-oxidation processes using Nitreg, Nitreg-C, and ONC technologies, crucial for increasing the wear resistance, fatigue strength, and durability of tooling. The upgrade is expected to improve the performance of various tooling applications, such as aluminum extrusion dies, die-casting dies, forging dies, and plastic injection molding dies. This installation reflects V’Steels’ dedication to delivering top-quality tool and stainless steels to industries like energy, petrochemistry, defense, and maritime, meeting the growing demand for high-performance materials.

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Solar Manufacturing ships Mentor Pro Furnace to a global leader of wire mesh products

April 15, 2024
Source: ASM International

Solar Manufacturing ships Mentor Pro Furnace to a global leader of wire mesh products

Solar Manufacturing, Sellersville, PA, has shipped a Mentor Pro Model HFL-3036-2IQ vacuum furnace to a customer specializing in engineered knitted wire mesh solutions. 

They are a USA-based company and a global supplier for the automotive, food service, and janitorial industries. The furnace will be primarily utilized for vacuum annealing materials that are susceptible to adverse effects of their mechanical properties when exposed to any levels of oxygen or nitrogen.

The Mentor® Pro features a molybdenum shielded hot zone measuring 18” wide x 18” high x 36” deep, capable of operating temperatures up to 2400°F, and a workload weight capacity of up to 1,000 lbs and includes the SolarVac® Essentials PLC-based control system. The internal gas cooling system with a 50 HP drive motor is capable of quenching workloads at 2-bar positive pressure in either nitrogen or argon.

Jason Davidson, regional sales manager, said that, “Our customer started running trials with our affiliate commercial heat treater, Solar Atmospheres. Once the trial results proved the heat-treat cycle, and the furnace demonstrated it could process the required quantities, the customer had confidence to place the purchase order with us.”

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Constellium to showcase cutting-edge solutions for aluminium automotive structures at CES 2024

February 6, 2024
Source: ASM International

Constellium to showcase cutting-edge solutions for aluminium automotive structures at CES 2024

Constellium, Paris, exhibited its latest innovations in aluminium Automotive Structures at CES 2024 in Las Vegas from January 9-12. A leading supplier of advanced lightweight aluminium automotive components, Constellium highlighted its sustainable solutions for automakers and consumers. 

Constellium showcased a diverse range of aluminium solutions designed to address the industry’s growing demand for lightweight materials and more sustainable solutions. These components contribute to enhanced vehicle performance and play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions, aligning with the global trend toward eco-friendly mobility. Among the products displayed are:  

  • Innovative Crash Management System for electric vehicles
  • Structural Sill providing stiffness and crash resistance
  • Lightweight Battery Enclosure solutions
    • Laser-Welded Battery Enclosure for Cell-to-Module applications
    • Adhesive-Bonded Battery Enclosures for Cell-to-Module or Cell-to-Pack applications
    • Structural Battery Enclosure for Cell-to-Pack or Cell-to-Body applications 

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Seco/Warwick furnace to process Jet Engine components

September 19, 2023
Source: ASM International

Seco/Warwick furnace to process Jet Engine components

Seco/Warwick, Meadville, PA, has developed a system to perform clean brazing processes in high vacuum as efficiently as possible, ensuring the highest protection of the treated part surfaces. The solution will be used to process jet engine components.

The German Partner carries out comprehensive repairs of technologically advanced jet engines. The company also has a research center which develops innovative repair techniques for various types of components and entire engines. The group employs several thousand qualified employees in various locations around the world and is a leader among companies repairing and providing full service MRO for jet engines. The purchase of a vertical vacuum furnace will improve production processes and significantly increase the commercial heat treater’s efficiency.

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Constellium to sell three german extrusion plants to Vaessen Aluminium

August 2, 2023
Source: ASM International

Constellium to sell three german extrusion plants to Vaessen Aluminium

Constellium, Paris,  announced that it signed a binding agreement with Vaessen Aluminium for the sale of three of Constellium’s soft alloy extrusion facilities located in Landau, Crailsheim and Burg in Germany for a total cash consideration of €48.8 million.

With nearly 450 employees, the three Constellium plants specialize in soft alloy extruded products for the Building & Construction, Transportation and Industry markets in Europe.

Vaessen Aluminium belongs to a longstanding family-owned industrial group, headquartered in Belgium, active in aluminum billets and profiles (E-Max), in lighting and ceiling (Kreon) and in wall cladding (Limeparts Drooghmans).

The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2023 and is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approval.

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Lehigh’s summer engineering institute students tour Solar Atmospheres


Source: ASM International

Lehigh’s summer engineering institute students tour Solar Atmospheres

Solar Atmospheres, Souderton, Pa., hosted over 40 high school students enrolled in the Summer Engineering Institute (SEI) at Lehigh University. The SEI program, under the guidance of Director Dr. Laura Moyer, is a two-week residential program, running two sessions back to back. 

Students are nominated by faculty of local high schools, and the program specifically targets under-represented groups including girls, first-generation students, and students who might otherwise have limited opportunities to study in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Solar Atmospheres provided a tour of the campus, exhibiting materials and processes for intriguing applications in a variety of markets. The students experienced a manufacturing setting encompassing related topics from their curriculum, gaining a better understanding of heat treating and manufacturing, and how cutting edge technology reshapes centuries-old processes.

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