Voestalpine High Performance Metals del Perú installed a Nitrex system for nitriding and nitrocarburizing a wide range of components made from high-performance steels. This new addition strengthens the company’s position as a provider of high-tech thermal processes on par with highly industrialized countries and expands its capabilities to meet the needs of industries such as mining, metal, energy and others. The pit-type furnace is designed to process workloads measuring 23.5 inches (600 mm) in diameter x 47.25 inches (1,200 mm) high weighing up to 1,700 pounds (800 kg). Process technologies include Nitreg controlled nitriding, Nitreg-C controlled nitrocarburizing and ONC post-oxidation.

Aluplast-ZTG, an Altest company, recently purchased a second Nitrex nitriding system. The Bulgarian aluminum extruder experienced a manufacturing boost after installing new extrusion presses to meet customer demand for its extrusion profiles. The first nitriding furnace, a compact model, had been in operation since 2011. The second furnace is the same as the first one but larger. It is capable of processing a load of extrusion dies weighing up to 1,300 pounds (600 kg). The furnace, which started up in the fourth quarter of 2021, is specially designed for nitriding H11 and H13 steel extrusion dies.

Oetzbach Edelstahl, a hardening plant in Germany that provides heat-treatment services, purchased a vacuum furnace from SECO/WARWICK. The medium-sized furnace is the third from SECO/WARWICK to be delivered to this facility. Vector technology allows the user to perform a range of processes from hardening through carburizing, nitriding and cryogenic freezing. The furnace, which has a heating-chamber size of 600 x 600 x 900 mm, enables the efficient heat treatment of tool and machine parts.

P.W.P.T. Posteor purchased a turnkey nitriding system from Nitrex for its manufacturing plant in Elbląg, Poland. The company previously outsourced the nitriding of stainless steel power-generation parts to a commercial heat treater before deciding to move this part of the operation in-house and manage its production independently. The pit-type furnace will be used for nitriding steam turbine components made of ST12T stainless steel.

Nitrex received an order from gear manufacturer Capi Group for two large-capacity nitriding systems. The Italian company increased its nitriding and nitrocarburizing capacity in an effort to keep up with new orders from the automotive industry. The furnaces, which comply with the AMS2750 for pyrometry and AMS2759/10 for controlled nitriding, have been operational for months. They were integrated into the existing production line and connected to a closed-loop water cooling system. The latter is an environmentally friendly feature that recirculates a steady supply of cooling water to cool furnace elements.

Solar Atmospheres is one of the world’s largest providers of commercial vacuum heat-treating services. Solar’s thermal processing produces bright, scale-free parts with minimal distortion.

Nitrex delivered a horizontal nitriding furnace to Hydro Extrusion Norway. The furnace can handle loads up to 1,760 pounds (800 kg). It includes Nitreg technology to optimize process parameters for optimal die quality and a neutralizer for a clean process. The decision to order this furnace was made because Hydro Extrusion Norway had to replace an old decommissioned furnace at its Magnor plant. The new nitriding equipment had to integrate with the existing infrastructure of the plant and fit into the specific floor space.

Qatar Aluminium Extrusion CO. (Qalex) received a second nitriding system from Nitrex. The aluminum profiles manufacturer wanted to equip a second extrusion plant with an independent nitriding furnace to save on handling, processing time and costs associated with having to transport extrusion dies back and forth from its first factory for nitriding work. The furnace is equipped with process technology designed for nitriding extrusion dies. Installation and start-up were completed in January 2022.

SECO/VACUUM, a SECO/WARWICK Group company, received an order for a vacuum tempering/gas nitriding furnace with a load capacity of 13,200 pounds from a Toronto-based manufacturer of flight-critical helicopter masts, turbine shafts and engine thrust links. The furnace, which can process loads up to 63 inches in diameter x 175 inches deep, will be used for nitriding and nitrocarburizing. The Canadian company is adding new heat-treatment capabilities to handle larger loads and configurations and to increase production capacity.

Nitrex Metal Inc. (Nitrex) has been selected for the “Global Thought Leaders” series broadcast on CBS News. The feature showcases the company as an industry innovator whose surface-treatment solutions enhance the metallurgical properties of components increasing their durability, wear and corrosion resistance while contributing to a more sustainable future. Nitrex’s nitriding process, vacuum furnaces, services centers, proprietary software and controls make the company a fully integrated solutions provider.