An electrically heated drop bottom furnace with a traveling quench tank and a maintenance platform has been shipped to an aerospace company for the solution heat treatmentMike Grande Vice President of Sales Wisconsin Oven Corporation Source: Wisconsin Oven Corporationof aluminum parts.
Wisconsin Oven designed the drop bottom furnace with sufficient capacity to heat 600 pounds of aluminum per load and provide a quench delay that does not exceed 5 seconds. The system also includes a slow drop speed program to be used for heating applications that do not require a quench.
“This drop bottom furnace was designed with a 5 second quench delay, and a temperature uniformity of +/- 5°F at the set points 850°F and 1,100°F. In addition, the system was tested to be in compliance with AMS2750F, Class 1 furnaces and instrumentation Type C prior to shipment from our manufacturing facility,” said Mike Grande, vice president of sales at Wisconsin Oven.
The press release is available in its original form here.
We’re celebrating getting to the “fringe” of the weekend with a Heat Treat Fringe Friday covering news about the promise gallium nitride (GaN) for the future of missions to Venus. Specifically, how this high-temperature-defying material may be used to form semiconductors that won’t melt on the near 900°F surface of Venus.
While not exactly heat treat, “Fringe Friday” deals with interesting developments in one of our key markets: aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, or general manufacturing.
Gallium nitride is a material that researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have been studying how it performs when exposed to high temperatures. They have recently announced that their research has shown successful performance results at 500°C for 48 hours.
The surface of Venus can reach temperatures of up to 480°C. With silicon-based electronics incapable of operating at these high temperatures or a long duration of time, finding a material that can take the heat becomes critical to prospect of sending a rover to the planet’s surface.
John Niroula, an electrical engineering and computer science (EECS) graduate student and lead author of the paper, commented, “Transistors are the heart of most modern electronics, but we didn’t want to jump straight to making a gallium nitride transistor because so much could go wrong. We first wanted to make sure the material and contacts could survive, and figure out how much they change as you increase the temperature. We’ll design our transistor from these basic material building blocks.”
Funding of this research has come from numerous interested parties, including the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Lockheed Martin Corporation, the Semiconductor Research Corporation through the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the U.S. Department of Energy, Intel Corporation, and the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
NASA has selected Elementum 3D (a developer and supplier of metal additive manufacturing (AM) advanced materials, print parameters, and services) to be one of four companies that will produce and distribute GRX-810 material under a commercial co-exclusive license. This is a material that has undergone significant post-processing heat treat research.
The 3D printable high-temperature metal superalloy material has been noted as “breakthrough technology” and will be offered to original equipment manufacturers of airplanes and rockets as well as the entire supply chain.
NASA’s goal of the licensing agreement is to accelerate the adoption of GRX-810 to benefit U.S. technologies, industry, and space exploration. The 3D printer supplier notes that engineers are eager to print with a material capable of creating lighter and thinner engine parts, reducing fuel burn, lowering operating costs, increasing durability, and lowering the tolerance for failure for critical applications.
GRX-810 is an oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) alloy that can endure higher temperatures and stress. Its strength is derived from the dispersion of tiny particles containing oxygen atoms. The breakthrough superalloy was specifically developed for the extreme temperatures and harsh conditions of aerospace applications, including liquid rocket engine injectors, combustors, turbines, and hot-section components, capable of enduring temperatures up to 1,100°C. Compared to other alloys, GRX-810 can endure higher temperatures and stress up to 2,500 times longer. It’s also 3.5 times better at flexing before breaking and twice as resistant to oxidation damage.
Jeremy Iten
Chief Technology Officer
Elementum 3D
Source: LinkedIn
Over the past nine years, Elementum 3D has gained extensive knowledge and experience in developing, commercializing, and distributing “impossible-to-print” dispersion-strengthened materials similar to GRX-810.
“We are excited to be working with Tim Smith and NASA to bring this exceptional new alloy to the commercial market,” said Jeremy Iten, chief technology officer at Elementum 3D.
NASA’s investment in developing GRX-810 demonstrates its dedication to advancing additive manufacturing. Elementum 3D and the other co-exclusive licensees now assume the responsibility of investing the time and resources to supply the industry with a stronger, more durable superalloy.
EcoTitanium, a European plant for recycling and refining titanium alloys for critical applications, was opened in France in 2017. It was the first plant in Europe to melt titanium with a cold hearth furnace – a technology that allows users to recycle titanium reverts coming from forging and machining castings from the aerospace supply chain.
The SECO/WARWICK Group was chosen as the main supplier of advanced vacuum metallurgy technology for this strategic European project, securing the creation of an autonomous European titanium channel.
Sławomir Tomaszewski, director of the Vacuum Melting Furnaces Team in the SECO/WARWICK Group, comments, “The innovative VAR furnace will increase the Partner’s production capacity and can respond to the increased demand for titanium in Europe. EcoTitanium has created the first integrated titanium processing plants in Europe, which opens the door to European, ecological, and innovative solutions for the aerospace industry. We are glad that our Group is part of this strategic project and that Retech and SECO/WARWICK brand solutions constitute the core of the machine park.”
Earl Good Managing Director Retech Systems, LLC Source: Retech
“For EcoTitanium, we, as Retech and SECO/WARWICK, delivered two furnaces seven years ago: a plasma furnace (PAM) for consolidation and refining of titanium scrap using plasma torches operating in an inert gas atmosphere, and a VAR arc furnace for further refining of titanium ingots obtained from the PAM furnace. The current contract is a continuation of this project. We will deliver a second VAR furnace, which will significantly increase the Partner’s processing capabilities,” said Earl Good, managing director of Retech.
The new furnace’s advantage is its perfect fit into the customer’s existing infrastructure. For safe operation, VAR furnaces require complex construction work: a bunker, an explosive tunnel, as well as a dedicated control room located outside the furnace operating area.
This system is unique because current solutions in the field of furnace safety will be implemented at the design stage. These solutions result from both the experience gained by EcoTitanium and the SECO/WARWICK Group’s experience.
Source: SECO/WARWICK
“The delivery of this new VAR furnace will help us to secure our customer’s growing needs for producing titanium in the context of unprecedented production ramp-ups. We are pleased to open this new chapter of EcoTitanium’s history with our long-term partner SECO/WARWICK. SECO/WARWICK has indeed offered us best-in-class solutions in the field of vacuum metallurgy technology, in particular with its PAM systems from its Retech brand, which allows us to use around 75% of recycled materials and to divide by up to four the CO2 emissions created by titanium melting,” says Jean-François Juéry, president of EcoTitanium.
Titanium, a transition metal with unique properties, is valued for its strength-to-weight ratio. It has comparable durability to steel but is 50% lighter, making it an attractive choice for industries looking for strength without additional weight. The aerospace industry consumes over 30% of global demand, and the chemical sector another 40%. Additionally, titanium has found use in medicine, especially in joint replacement procedures, dental implants, and electronics.
This press release is available in its original form here.
IperionX Limited and Vegas Fastener Manufacturing, LLC (Vegas Fastener) have agreed to partner to develop and manufacture titanium alloy fasteners and precision components with IperionX’s advanced titanium products.
The commercial focus of this partnership is on developing and manufacturing titanium alloy fasteners and precision components for the U.S. Army Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC), which is the United States Armed Forces’ research and development facility for advanced technology in ground systems. GSVC’s research and development includes robotics, autonomy, survivability, power, mobility, intelligent systems, maneuver support and sustainment.
Additionally, the partners will design, engineer and produce titanium fasteners for critical sectors such as the aerospace, naval, oil & gas, power generation, pulp & paper and chemical sectors. These sectors demand fasteners that provide not only high strength-to-weight ratios but also exceptional corrosion resistance for high-performance applications.
Vegas Fastener, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a global leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance fasteners and custom machined components. Together with its allied company, PowerGen Components, Vegas Fastener serves a diverse array of customers in the defense, marine, power generation, oil & gas, nuclear, chemical, and water infrastructure sectors. Vegas Fastener develops and manufactures precision high-performance fasteners using specialized alloys to meet demanding quality specifications.
IperionX’s leading titanium technology portfolio includes high-performance near-net shape titanium products, semi-finished titanium products, spherical titanium powder for additive manufacturing and metal injection molding, and angular titanium powder for a wide range of advanced manufacturing applications. These innovative patented technologies allow for sustainability and process energy efficiencies over the traditional Kroll titanium production process.
Image above: High-performance fasteners manufactured by Vegas Fastener
This press release is available in its original form here.
Solar Atmospheres, Inc. announced their most recent acquisition, Certified Metal Craft (CMC) located in El Cajon (an East County suburb of San Diego). With nearly 55 years of serving the Southern California region, CMC and the Wiederkehr Family have established themselves as a source for heat treating and brazing services. With the addition of CMC to the Solar Family of Companies, CMC establishes Solar’s 6th nationwide location and bolsters their West Coast presence.
Derek Dennis President Solar Atmospheres California
CMC has extensive capabilities to include vacuum, aluminum, atmospheric, endothermic, salt bath and cryogenic processing and currently employs 25 dedicated employees. Servicing the aerospace, medical, and commercial markets, CMC is Nadcap-accredited and holds a long list of customer and prime approvals. Tim Wiederkehr will immediately assume the role of V.P. of Operations and report to Derek Dennis, president of Solar Atmospheres of California, Inc.
Derek Dennis states “Solar is excited to welcome the dedicated CMC team into the growing nation of Solar companies.” He adds, “Together, we will continue to grow our west coast footprint while solidifying our industry leading approach of being the ‘go-to’ choice for all heat treating & brazing needs with an unwavering commitment to honesty and integrity in all relationships.”
This press release is available in its original form here.
A custom-built vacuum induction melting (VIM) equipment is set to expand thermal processing for a manufacturer, whose operations already has two VIM solutions.
The furnace will be fabricated at the Buffalo headquarters of Retech, a SECO/WARWICK Group subsidiary, to capitalize on available schedule improvements. As custom equipment, the subsidiary’s furnaces are not dependent on assembly-line style construction, so they can be fabricated and assembled just in either location.
While this client prefers not to divulge this VIM’s application, Retech’s solution can handle casting a wide range of materials used in applications from automotive and consumer products to critical, high-value equiaxed, directionally solidified, or single-crystal aerospace parts. Almost every furnace Retech makes is modified to meet the specifications and associated applications of its clients.
VIM from the Retech Buffalo, NY location.
Source: SECO/WARWICK
Richard B. Conway Founder/Director/CTO DELTA H® Technologies, LLC Source: DELTA H
Multiple military facilities now operate more than 50 heat treat systems from a North American furnace and oven supplier. These facilities include Air National Guard bases, USAF bases stateside, Guam, Alaska, and Hawaii, Air Bases in Japan, Germany, United Kingdom – Royal Air Force, Middle East, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and U.S. Army facilities.
The systems from DELTA H included either single, dual or triple chamber designs of both the heavy duty commercial aviation standard models DCAHT® / SCAHT® Series, the supplier’s Defender Series – developed for the armed forces, and aircraft composite walk-in ovens.
All systems are in full compliance to NAVAIR Tech Order 1-1A-9, and meet AMS2750 accountability standards for accuracy, temperature uniformity, calibration, and secure batch records.
Ellen Conway Merrill with USAF Metal Technology personnel Source: DELTA H TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Richard Conway, director & CTO of DELTA H®, shares: “It is a deep honor and humbling for the DELTA H team to support our armed forces. We take the utmost care to ensure the best of our craftsmanship and abilities are utilized to deliver the finest heat treating equipment for aircraft maintenance to our Warfighters.”
Military personnel are provided full operator and heat treating and maintenance training, as well as on-site qualifying assistance to meet and maintain the stringent pyrometry standards. Successful trainees receive Certificates of Training as qualified to use their DELTA H® furnace for heat treatment of aircraft parts.
This press release is available available upon request.
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Sudosilo S.A., a commercial heat treatment service provider in South America, is bringing premier nitriding to the Argentine industrial sector with the recent commissioning of turnkey heat treat 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.
Source: Nitrex
The integration of this system from NITREX — a global supplier of heat treat systems with North American locations — is set to establish a new benchmark for quality and precision in nitriding treatments. Particularly, it will help Sudosilo cater to various sectors, including aluminum injection, aluminum extrusion, forging, and oil applications.
Jerónimo Alberto Colazo Production Manager Sudosilo
Jerónimo Alberto Colazo, production manager at Sudosilo, highlighted, “The competitive edge of this installation lies in its meticulous control and automation capabilities, ensuring process stability and the ability to generate specialized processes and recipes tailored to unique requirements of each application. This high level of customization and precision guarantees superior quality, meeting the intricate demands of industries served by Sudosilo.”
This press release is available in its original form here.
Kittyhawk, Inc., backed by the Dallas-based private equity firm Trive Capital, has acquired Stack HIP, LLC from Stack Metallurgical Group (SMG). The acquisition represents a significant expansion of capacity and capabilities in hot isostatic pressing (HIP) for aerospace, space, defense, and medical applications.
Operating from its facility in Albany, OR, Stack HIP provides HIP services to aerospace, defense, and medical clients by operating the largest high-pressure HIP vessels in North America. This enables them to process large, complex castings and additively manufactured metallic parts. Post-closing, SMG will continue to operate its classical heat treatment and aluminum special processing facilities in Portland, OR, Spokane, WA, and Salt Lake City, UT.
Brandon Creason President Kittyhawk
“We’re excited to welcome Stack HIP customers, employees, and suppliers into the Kittyhawk family,” said BrandonCreason, president of Kittyhawk. “Stack HIP will allow Kittyhawk to service mission critical parts up to 63” in diameter, enabling us to process the full array of components for our customers. At Kittyhawk, we commit every day to providing the best service and quality to our customers, and we’re thrilled to now do that with the added capabilities and dedicated employees of Stack HIP.”
Doug Puerta CEO Stack Metallurgical Group
Doug Puerta, CEO of SMG commented, “We look forward to continued collaboration with Kittyhawk to deliver a differentiated level of service, quality, and value to our shared customers. This transaction will allow both companies to further drive capacity, quality, and capabilities in our respective services to best serve the PNW market.”
“This is an important step in growing the platform specialized in this highly-differentiated HIP capability. [Kittyhawk] continues to benefit from strong industry tailwinds, and we are excited to support our customers by investing in capacity,” said David Stinnett, partner at Trive.
This press release is available in its original form upon request.
