Tools that are heat treated in molten salt baths are heated up much more rapidly than by convection or radiation, thereby heat treating times are significantly shortened. The molten salt provides a ready source of heat and maintains the rate of heating necessary to reach equilibrium with the rate of heat absorption.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology has published a new study that shows what happens when crystalline grains in metals reform at nanometer scales, improving metal properties. This includes recrystallization, in which the metal is deformed and heated.

Can-Eng Furnaces International Ltd, Canada, has been awarded a contract to deliver a high-capacity mesh belt heat treatment furnace line to a commercial heat treater in the Midwest U.S.

EFD Induction, Skien, Norway, has upgraded the Terac system, which uses induction heating for deck straightening with a new professional look and improved handling properties.

Nitrex Vacuum, Quebec, has delivered two large-capacity nitriding systems to the Italian gear manufacturer, Capi Group. Capi has been using Nitrex systems since 2018 and the new systems are expected to boost their nitriding/nitrocarburizing capacity.

Molten salts of various compositions are well adapted to all operations in the heat treatment of tool steels. For tools that cannot be ground after hardening or for tools that require an excellent surface condition and the maintenance of sharp edges, salt bath heating provides excellent results.