Low-pressure carburizing (LPC) has been largely used to heat treat low-alloy steels for mechanical components, especially for the automotive industry, for over two decades.

It’s already November, which means it’s the time of year that we shine a spotlight on the aerospace segment of our industry. Aerospace involves such things as commercial jets, military, space travel, satellites and a variety of equipment (e.g., planes, helicopters, rockets, drones, etc.).

Lockheed Martin Corp. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aerojet Rocketdyne Holdings Inc. for approximately $4.4 billion. With nearly 5,000 employees and 15 primary operations sites across the United States, Aerojet Rocketdyne is a world-recognized aerospace and defense rocket engine manufacturer. The company’s propulsion systems are a key component of Lockheed Martin’s supply chain and several advanced systems across its Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control and Space business areas. The proposed acquisition adds substantial expertise in propulsion to Lockheed Martin’s portfolio.

Why is aluminum’s story only about a century old? Because although aluminum is the most abundant metallic element in the earth’s crust (8%), metallic aluminum was produced for the first time just 200 years ago.

Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc. entered into a definitive agreement to acquire select assets of Bombardier aerostructures and aftermarket services businesses in Belfast, Northern Ireland (known as Short Brothers); Casablanca, Morocco; and Dallas, Texas. The acquired Bombardier operations employ more than 4,000 people at three sites comprising approximately 3.4 million square feet. The backlog of work includes long-term contracts on the Airbus A220 and A320neo, along with Bombardier business and regional jets.

The aerospace industry is of critical importance to our thermal-processing world. For this reason, we need to pay attention to what’s happening.

Delta H Technologies will invest more than $300,000 in equipment and add 11 new jobs at its facility in Carroll, Ohio. Delta H Technologies manufactures industrial furnaces and heat-treatment ovens for the aerospace industry. The 11 new jobs will double the company’s current workforce. Fairfield County provided a $20,000 Workforce Development Training Grant to help with new-employee training, and JobsOhio provided a $50,000 performance grant toward the purchase of new machinery.

Once again, our readers weigh in on the best articles in 2018. This time it is in the melting/forming/joining category. Interested in what they have to say? Check out the list that follows.

Element Materials Technology (Element) acquired Cleveland, Ohio-based Orbit Industries Inc. (Orbit), a Nadcap- and ISO 17025-accredited laboratory and provider of nondestructive testing (NDT) services to aerospace primes and Tier 1 suppliers. With over 30 prime approvals, Orbit specializes in ultrasonic, liquid penetrant, magnetic particle and chemical processing for raw materials and semi-finished and finished products, including landing-gear components, airfoils and aluminum wheels. Orbit also operates out of four other satellite inspection facilities across Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York.