Thermal Processing R&D Engineering
Thermal Processing R&D Engineering
Optimize Heat Treatment Processes
Rely on Solar Atmospheres’ Thermal Processing R&D Engineering as a resource for value-added metallurgical support. Combining a broad range of application experience in the metals industry, R&D Engineering has the knowledge to develop and optimize heat treatment processes to best achieve the desired material properties for a given application. The group is dedicated to providing a service unique in the commercial heat treatment industry.
Unique Capabilities
- Group of metallurgists, scientist, engineers, and technicians focused on heat treatment cycle development and optimization from laboratory to large production scale product
- On-site metallurgical laboratory for microhardness testing and microstructure analysis
- Two laboratory furnaces specifically for R&D; one all metal, one high temperature graphite
- Utilization of a residual gas analyzer (RGA) for process and equipment development
- Ability to provide equipment modifications to accomplish new processes
- Available to discuss material selection and surface treatment options for performance enhancement
Process Development
- Low pressure carburizing (LPC), to comprise aerospace and high performance gears
- Vacuum purge gas nitriding, including post nitriding oxidation for improved corrosion performance
- Titanium nitriding for wear and corrosion resisting properties
- Solution nitriding of martensitic stainless steels for increased surface hardness and resultant bearing performance
- Hydriding/dehydriding of transition element scrap for recycling
- Purification and/or sintering of powders